Identification Larvae Carpet Moths

Identifying clothes moths the most common clothes moths are the webbing clothes moth easily identified with a golden color and around half an inch in length and the case bearing moth which can be identified about inch long and their forewings are mottled brown with one large and a few smaller indistinct black spots.

Identification larvae carpet moths.

Case bearing clothes moth larvae create smaller more regular shaped holes in garments and textiles. With a body about 5mm long and a wingspan of about 14 18mm. Identify webbing clothes moth larvae by their feeding tunnels of silk or webbing patches left behind on the fabric as they move around. Carpet moth eggs are so small you won t notice them but their larvae are easily identified due to the case they carry around which gives them their common name.

The off white caterpillars have brown heads and grow to about a half inch in length before pupating. If you spot a tiny grub wrapped in a woven case dragging itself around you ve got carpet moths. Carpet tapestry moths tend to lay their eggs in the darkest patches of your carpet such as under furniture behind curtains or by skirting boards. Flies at dusk and is easily disturbed from vegetation during the day.

Identifying moth larvae the two most common moth species in the mid atlantic are clothes moths and meal moths. Carpet moths inhabit less disturbed and darker areas behind sofas along skirting boards under bookcases are typical hiding places for carpet moth larvae. It is the larvae that eat your carpets not the adult moths. As the larvae grow they leave empty hairy cast skins or husks which are often the first sign of carpet beetle attack figure 7.

Identifying a carpet moth the carpet moth is smaller than a common house moth. Adult webbing clothes moths have a wingspread of about 1 2 inch and that of the male is somewhat less. Regular vacuuming in these areas moving furniture and opening curtains. Common clothes moth larvae cause irregular shaped holes in natural fabrics.

These pests look similar at the larval stage. Carpet moths are buff coloured with forewings that usually have three distinct dots. Figure 7 cast skins of varied carpet beetle larvae the larvae will grow to 5mm long and are voracious feeders which will rapidly make holes in woollen textiles animal specimens fur and feathers. The larvae are white with a brown head.

The larvae are creamy white coloured caterpillars which can be as much as a 1 2 inch in length.