**Webbing Clothes Moths** (*Tineola bisselliella*) are one of the most destructive household pests of animal-derived textiles. The conflict is **destruction of clothing, fabrics, and museum artifacts**: the **larval stage** feeds exclusively on materials containing **keratin**, a protein found in natural fibers of animal origin (wool, silk, fur, feathers, cashmere). The larvae create silken feeding tubes or ‘webs’ as they consume the fabric, causing irreparable holes and damage, often in dark, undisturbed areas.
Taxonomy and Classification
Webbing Clothes Moths belong to the Order Lepidoptera (Moths and Butterflies) and the Family Tineidae (Fungus/Clothes Moths). They undergo complete metamorphosis. They are poor fliers and prefer to run or crawl.
Physical Description
Adults are small, 6 mm to 8 mm wingspan.
- **Adult (Key ID):** Small, golden-buff or straw-colored moth with no distinctive markings; wings are fringed with fine hairs; often seen running across surfaces or flying weakly, unlike pantry moths.
- **Larva (Key ID):** Creamy-white grub with a dark brown head, up to 12\text{ mm} long; often concealed within a silken **feeding tube or web** it spins while consuming the fabric.
- **Damage ID (Key):** Irregular holes in fabrics; presence of silken tubes, threads, and fecal pellets (frass) the color of the consumed fabric; high populations often found in floor cracks or under furniture.
- **Conflict:** Structural, Ornamental (Textile).
Distribution and Habitat
Cosmopolitan, found worldwide indoors. Habitat is dark, protected, and undisturbed areas where susceptible fabrics are stored (closets, attics, storage chests, behind furniture, inside air ducts).
Behavior and Conflict
The conflict is driven by their dependence on animal fibers.
- **Light Avoidance:** Adults are attracted to light but typically stay away from it, meaning the moths seen flying are usually males, while the egg-laying females stay hidden.
- **Contamination:** Damage is often concentrated on items that are soiled or stained, as the larvae are drawn to B vitamins and yeast often found in food or perspiration residue.
Management and Prevention
Management is **Prevention, Sanitation, and Monitoring**.
- **Cleaning:** Regularly vacuuming carpets, crevices, and floor/wall junctions to remove larvae and food sources (lint, hair).
- **Storage:** Thoroughly cleaning garments before long-term storage and placing them in sealed plastic bags or airtight containers.
- Using sticky traps or **pheromone traps** (which capture males) to detect infestations early and pinpoint the source.
- Treating infested items via deep freezing or high heat (laundering/dry cleaning).
Conservation and Research
Research focuses on non-toxic methods of pest control for museums and archives, including modified atmosphere storage (low oxygen) and developing specialized biological control agents.