Biology
Clothes moths are widespread pests of fabrics, wool, furs, and other items of animal origin. The two species of clothes moths common to Washington are the webbing clothes moth and the casemaking clothes moth. The food habits of both species are similar; the casemaking clothes moth, however, will feed on some materials not of animal origin, such as tobacco and spices. Stored materials in dark areas are more susceptible to attack, since these insects avoid light. Clothes moths are small, 1/2 inch long, tan or yellowish insects. They have narrow wings fringed with long hairs. The casemaking clothes moth is somewhat smaller and darker than the webbing clothes moth, and it has three dark spots on the wings. The larvae of both species are light- or cream-colored with a dark head and are up to about 1/3 inch long. The larvae of the webbing clothes moth may spin a silken tube or mat from which it feeds. The casemaking clothes moth carries a silken case around its body wherever it goes.
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