Webbing Clothes Moth

Tineola bisselliella is a small moth of 6–7 mm (0.24–0.28 in) body length and 9–16 mm (0.35–0.63 in) wingspan (most commonly 12–14 mm or 0.47–0.55 in). The head is light ferruginous ochreous, sometimes brownish-tinged.The antennae are thread-like and about four-fifths the length of the forewings. Forewings pale yellowish-ochreous; base of costa fuscous. Hindwings ochreous grey-whitish. (it is distinguished from similar species by its yellow-brown or ochreous colouring and red-orange tuft of hair on the head). The larva is white, eventually almost transparent, with a brown head. It lives in a silk tube.

This moth's natural range is the western Palearctic, but it has been transported by human travelers to other localities. For example, it is nowadays found in Australia. The species' presence has not been recorded in France, Greece, Slovenia and Switzerland, though this probably reflects the lack of occurrence data rather than absence. This species is notorious for feeding on clothing and natural fibers; they have the ability to digest keratin protein in wool and silk. The moths prefer dirty fabric for oviposition and are particularly attracted to carpeting and clothing that contains human sweat or other organic liquids which have been spilled onto them; traces of dirt may provide essential nutrients for larval development. Larvae are attracted to these areas not only for the food but for traces of moisture; they do not require liquid water. The range of recorded foodstuffs includes linen, silk, and wool fabrics as well as furs. They will eat synthetic and cotton fibers if they are blended with wool and may use some cotton to build their cocoon. Furthermore, they have been found on shed feathers and hair, bran, semolina and flour (possibly preferring wheat flour), biscuits, casein, and insect specimens in museums. In one case, living T. bisselliella caterpillars were found in salt. …

Females lay eggs in clusters of between 30 and 200, which adhere to surfaces with a gelatin-like glue. These hatch between four and ten days later into near-microscopic white caterpillars, which immediately begin to feed. They will also spin mats under which to feed without being readily noticed and from which they will partially emerge at night or under dark conditions to acquire food. Development to the next stage takes place through between five and 45 instars typically over between one month and two years, until the pupal stage is reached. At this point, the caterpillars spin cocoons and spend another approximately 10–50 days developing into adults. After pupation is complete, the adult moths emerge and begin searching for mates. Females tend to move less than males, and both sexes prefer scuttling over surfaces to flying— some adults never fly at all. Adults can live for an additional 15–30 days, after which they die (otherwise death takes place shortly after mating for males and shortly after egg laying for females). …