Moths In Closet

Mites (Tineidae family Oecophoridae)
Most of our household clothes moths belong to the family Tineidae. The adult moths are generally small insects with a wingspan of 10-20 mm, more or less brownish color, but often with golden or silver. The head is roughly enough hair, with the proboscis (or feeding-tube) reduced or absent. Therefore, adult beetles do not eat it and their larvae (or caterpillars) that damage the tissues. moths are insects in general and love dark, although females and males spent sometimes come to light, they are more likely to fail for the coverage of flying in broad daylight when disturbed.
The larvae are whitish in color and feed mainly on dry plant materials and animal. moth larvae are among the few insects able to digest the keratin of hair and feathers. The natural haunts of these insects are the nests of birds and small mammals, where there is a short step to human households in which carpets, clothing, and miscellaneous debris provide abundant food. Damage to articles feed may consist of irregular surface (especially on carpets) or holes eaten completely through the tissue, usually in association with the 'witness' son signs of silk produced by the caterpillars. Butterflies are more likely to attack the tissues stained with sweat and urine, or soiled by spilled drinks and food, the cleaning cloths. In addition, only natural fabrics are at risk, especially those containing wool or cotton - the larvae attack no synthetic fibers (nylon, polyester, acrylic, etc.), so that clothing and furniture made from these materials are relatively immune to the mites are less heavily soiled by sweat, urine, food stains, etc. Pipe-lagging, because it is left to rest and is often hot, is a particularly favorable for these moths, but again the man by modern plastic and glass fiber materials are safe from attacks.

Adult moth common machine (bisselliella Tineola) - brownish color with golden or silver, the length of 5-8 mm
Photo: Âc Ben Smart
Larva of the case bearing clothes Moth (Tinea pellionella) with its cause, up to 10 mm long
Photo: Âc Ian Kimber
Adults on Case Moth Clothing (Tinea pellionella)
Photo Âc Charles Baker

The species most important in terms of damage, is the common or webbing clothes Moth (bisselliella Tineola). Its larvae feed on all keratin-containing materials - hair, wool, silk, feathers, and so on - and also eat plant material such as cotton and grain products stored. The case involving Ringworm (Tinea pellionella) is less problematic in tissue damage, but can still be a serious pest. Its common name comes from the habit of larvae construct a case tubular silk and fragments of surrounding materials. The caterpillars of the moth Tapestry (tapetzella trichophagia) also damage fabrics but they prefer coarser materials than the previous two garments butterflies. They are often found in owl pellets, which may be their natural food. Another butterfly that can be combined with tineid moths, although not a member of the same family but belonging to the family Oecophoridae related, is the Brown House Moth (pseudospretella Hofmannophila). Its larvae normally feed on plant and animal debris in the nests of birds, but they are often found in houses and attack the tissues and assorted foods stored.
Moth damage in Britain has declined in recent years, probably due to the increased use of synthetic or artificial, more frequent cleaning dry, much drier atmosphere created.