Carpet Moth Larvae Identification Uk

The carpet tapestry moth trichophaga tapetzella and the case bearing carpet moth tinea pellionella.
Carpet moth larvae identification uk. Here the moths can rest unseen with their superb cryptic camouflage. Alamy i f you have never heard of the case bearing carpet moth tinea pellionella you are lucky they have probably not invaded your home. Carpet moths are buff coloured with forewings that usually have three distinct dots. Their larvae are most likely to be found munching away underneath some of your bigger and heavier furniture that you rarely move to vacuum.
Ukmoths has been providing identification help and information about britain s moths for over 15 years. Carpet moths typically live outdoors in bird nests or on animals but there are increasing cases of tinea pellionella being found in uk homes. See the moth identification guides on this site for more information. 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.
If you spot a tiny grub wrapped in a woven case dragging itself around you ve got carpet moths. How can i tell if i have carpet moths. Identifying a carpet moth the carpet moth is smaller than a common house moth. Brown with a metallic silver y shaped mark on each forewing one of the most commonly seen day flying.
Step 2 assess the intensity of your infestation use carpet moth traps to identify how much of a problem you may have unlike many other types of moths. A local species occurring in a range of scattered localities mainly in south west england and wales and parts of scotland but also in a number of other places throughout britain. Have a look at our moth id sheet to work out what kind of moth you have spotted. With a body about 5mm long and a wingspan of about 14 18mm.
It inhabits mature deciduous woodland where lichen covers the trunks and branches of the trees. The hind wings are smaller in comparison and lighter coloured. Adult webbing clothes moths have a wingspread of about 1 2 inch and that of the male is somewhat less. There are two species of carpet moth found in the uk.
What s ukmoths all about. Case bearing carpet moth larvae on fabric. Traditionally moth fieldguides have concentrated on the so called macro moths of which there are around 800 regular species.