Common clothes moth

Description

Tineola bisselliella, known as the common clothes moth, webbing clothes moth, or simply clothing moth, is a species of fungus moth (family Tineidae, subfamily Tineinae). It is the type species of its genus Tineola and was first described by Arvid David Hummel in 1823. The specific name is commonly misspelled biselliella – for example by G. A. W. Herrich-Schäffer, when he established Tineola in 1853. The larvae (caterpillars) of this moth are considered a serious pest, as they can derive nourishment from clothing – in particular wool, but many other natural fibres – and also, like most related species, from stored foods, such as grains. ineola 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. 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).