Case-bearing Clothes Moth
Scientific name: Tinea pellionella
Click to enlarge image
Case-bearing Clothes Moth, Tinea pellionella
Image: Andrew Donnelly
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Tinea
- Species
- pellionella
- Subfamily
- Tineinae
- Family
- Tineidae
- Super Family
- Tineoidea
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Class
- Insecta
- Subphylum
- Uniramia
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Number of Species
- 2
-
- Size Range
- 1 cm
Introduction
Sydney has two common species of clothes moths, which were both accidentally introduced to Australia.
Identification
The Case-bearing Clothes Moth gets its name from the open-ended, protective silk case that the larvae live inside and carry around when feeding. The other Sydney species is the Common Clothes Moth (Tineola bisselliella).
Habitat
Clothes moths live in urban areas.
Distribution
Clothes moths are found worldwide, including Australia, Asia, North America and Europe.
Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia
Feeding and diet
Before humans began manufacturing clothes and carpet, clothes moth larvae fed on feathers, fur, dead animals and wool.
Other behaviours and adaptations
Like most moths, adult clothes moths generally avoid light and prefer the darkness of a wardrobe or drawer.
