Zoology: Invertebrates

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. A Dictionary of Zoology Further reading

clothes moth

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

clothes moth name for several species of moths of the family Tineidae, whose larvae feed on wool, furs, feathers, upholstery, and a variety of animal products. Clothes moths are of Old World origin. Those commonest in North America are the case-bearing clothes moth, Tinea pellionella, and the webbing clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella. The adults are yellowish or buff moths, often called millers, with a wingspread of about 1/2 in. (1.2 cm). They lay 100 to 150 eggs on the material which is to provide food for the larvae; they do not feed on fabrics themselves. The larva of the case-bearing clothes moth makes an open-ended case out of food fibers and its own silk; it feeds and pupates (see insect ) within the case. The webbing clothes moth larva makes no case, but when it pupates it builds a cocoon of silk and fibers. The life cycle is completed most rapidly at average room temperature and about 75% humidity. The tapestry, or carpet, moth, Trichophaga tapetzella, attacks upholstery. Fumigation, sunning, cleaning, brushing, and cold storage help to prevent damage. Clothes moths are classified in the phylum Arthropoda , class Insecta, order Lepidoptera, family Tineidae.

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clothes moth

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Copyright

clothes moth See TINEIDAE.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "clothes moth." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "clothes moth." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-clothesmoth.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "clothes moth." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-clothesmoth.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	INVASION OF THE CLOTHES EATERS; Moths are wrecking Ireland's homes as never... Newspaper article from: Daily Mail (London); 6/2/2011
	INVASION 0F THE CLOTHES EATERS; Moths are wrecking Britain's homes as never... Newspaper article from: Daily Mail (London); 6/2/2011
	INVASION OF THE CLOTHES EATERS; Moths are wrecking Britain's homes as never... Newspaper article from: Daily Mail (London); 6/2/2011