Animal Species:Case-bearing Clothes Moth
Sydney has two common species of clothes moths, which were both accidentally introduced to Australia.
Case-bearing Clothes Moth
Andrew Donnelly
© Australian Museum
Number of species
2
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).
Size range
1 cm
Distribution
Clothes moths are found worldwide, including Australia, Asia, North America and Europe.
Habitat
Clothes moths live in urban areas.
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.
Classification
- Species:
- pellionella
- Genus:
- Tinea
- Subfamily:
- Tineinae
- Family:
- Tineidae
- Superfamily:
- Tineoidea
- Order:
- Lepidoptera
- Class:
- Insecta
- Subphylum:
- Uniramia
- Phylum:
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
Last Updated:
Tags moths, pests, insects, arthropods, invertebrates, identification, wildlife of sydney,