Casemaking Clothes Moth

Category:

Actual Size: ⅜ to ½”

Characteristics: Adults are shiny gray or brown with spots on the wings. Larvae are creamy white with a black head capsule.

Legs: 6

Antennae: Yes

Wings: Yes

Habitat: Often found in dark and undisturbed spaces, like basements, attics and the back of closets. 

Habits:

  • Only males fly, females travel by running or hopping
  • Adults do not feed, larvae have a strong and damaging appetite
  • Larvae carry their small and silken case with them as they feed

Casemaking Clothes Moth in Flushing, NY

Clothes moths are commonplace in New York City and Long Island homes. You may think you’ve stored your wardrobe and bedding securely, only to find holes in the material the next time you bring them out. Casemaking moths in their adult stage aren’t interested in eating your fabrics – it’s the larvae that feed on wool, silk and carpets, as well as natural and synthetic fibers of all kinds.

Casemaking Clothes Moth Habitat

Casemaking clothes moths are drawn to any undisturbed fabric and bedding. If the materials you store aren’t properly contained, they’re vulnerable to an infestation by clothes moths and their hungry larvae. While living in these dark corners of your home, adult casemaking moths will use the moisture left in fibers to remain hydrated.

Casemaking Clothes Moth Behaviors, Threats or Dangers

Casemaking moth larvae are the most destructive stage of the moth’s life cycle. Larvae will eat and eat whatever fibers they can find for a period of several weeks to a few years. After that they will spin a silk casing that will allow them to transform into their final stage. And, once they become an adult, the first thing they’ll do is lay more eggs to make more larvae.

Don’t wait for this cycle to continue.