Clothes moth

Tineola bisselliella

1. Identification

• Common name: Common clothes moth
• Scientific name: Tineola bisselliella Hummel
• Order: Lepidoptera
• Family: Tineidae

2. Pest description

• Small caterpillars, cream to yellowish in colour, with a brown head, reaching about 10 mm.
• Adults with a wingspan of 12–16 mm, narrow golden wings, with long silky fringes.
• Synanthropic species, frequently associated with indoor environments, especially dark and poorly ventilated places.
• Caterpillars feed on materials of animal origin, such as wool, feathers, hair and keratin-containing fabrics.
• Biological cycle dependent on temperature and humidity, and may be prolonged in cold and dry environments.

3. Main hosts

• Wool fabrics and other materials of animal origin.
• Rugs, carpets, upholstery and stored clothing.
• Stored products containing keratin, such as felts and natural fillings.

4. Symptoms and damage

• Irregular perforations in wool fabrics and natural fibres.
• Presence of silky cocoons, droppings and debris near the affected materials.
• Progressive damage to clothing stored for long periods.
• Loss of commercial value of textile items and natural materials.

5. Biological cycle

• Eggs laid in cracks, folds of fabric or dark places near the food source.
• Caterpillars develop by feeding on natural fibres, and may remain hidden in silky tunnels.
• Pupation occurs in cocoons built with silk and debris.
• Adults avoid light and have weak flight, remaining close to the infested areas.
• Variable number of generations, with several possible per year in heated environments.

6. Monitoring

• Regular inspection of stored clothing, rugs and poorly lit areas.
• Search for cocoons, caterpillars and characteristic damage on natural fabrics.
• Sticky traps with pheromone for the detection of adults.
• Assessment of the extent of damage to textile items.

7. Management measures

• Cultural: regular cleaning of wardrobes, rugs and storage areas; exposure of clothing to the sun and adequate ventilation.
• Preventive: storage of clean clothing in closed containers, use of airtight bags and reduction of accumulated organic matter sources.
• Biological: use of pheromone traps for monitoring and reduction of the male population.
• Integrated protection: continuous monitoring, removal of infested materials and judicious application of authorised insecticides in specific areas when necessary.

Bibliographic references

• CABI – Invasive Species Compendium – Tineola bisselliella.
• EPPO Global Database – Tineola bisselliella.
• Robinson, G. S. (2009). Tineid Moths: Biology and Identification. Natural History Museum Publications.
• Pinniger, D. B. (2001). Pest Management in Museums, Archives and Historic Houses. Archetype Publications.
• Lewis, V. R. et al. (2013). Management of fabric pests in stored products. Journal of Stored Products Research, 53, 23–30.