Clothes Moth  Indian Meal Moth |
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(Order
Lepidoptera)
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Appearance:
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Larvae are shiny, white worms about 1/2 inch long; adults have
narrow fringed wings, are yellowish brown and also about 1/2 inch long.
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Habits:
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Prefer darkness; can disappear quickly if disturbed.
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Diet:
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Wood and other fabrics; fur; other protein-based materials.
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Reproduction:
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Adult females lay up to 200 eggs; larvae reach maturity in 35 days to 2-1/2 years;
adults live 15 to 30 days.
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Other Info:
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Adult clothes moths are incapable of eating anything; it is the
larvae which do all the damage.
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(Plodia Interpunctella)
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Appearance:
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Adults have wing spread of 5/8 inch; wings are pale grey, with outer portion of
forewing reddish brown; larvae are about 1/2 inch long, with dirty white color.
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Habits:
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Adults fly mainly at night.
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Diet:
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Larvae feed on all kinds of grains, flours, and dried fruits;
its extensive webbing spoils more food than it consumes.
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Reproduction:
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Females lay between 200 to 400 eggs in spring; complete life
cycle ranges from 4 to 6 weeks.
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Other Info:
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Larvae and adults are often mistaken for clothes moths; adults
live only 1 or 2 weeks.
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