Scientific name: Tineola bisselliella Family: Tineidae Order: Lepidoptera Risk level: Moderate Category: Flying pest
? What is the clothes moth
Scientific name: Tineola bisselliella
Family: Tineidae
Order: Lepidoptera
Risk level: Moderate
Category: Flying pest
The clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella) has shiny golden wings and measures 6–8 mm. It strongly avoids light. The larva is the damaging stage: it feeds on keratin in animal fibers such as wool, cashmere, silk, fur and feathers. The larval stage lasts from two months to two years.
Life cycle of the clothes moth
It undergoes complete metamorphosis. Eggs are laid directly on food, and the larva is the damaging stage. A full generation takes 4–8 weeks. Multiple generations may breed in an infested warehouse.
Distribution of the clothes moth
It occurs in food warehouses worldwide and is common in the Gulf, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, especially in hot warehouses.
Damage and risks associated with the clothes moth
It causes irreparable damage to wool clothing, rare carpets, museum collections and luxury garments, resulting in economic losses to the textile and museum sectors.
Signs of a clothes moth infestation
Signs include adult moths around light sources; larvae and silken threads in food; droppings and hollow grains caused by weevils and beetles; and small white eggs on food.
Where clothes moths are found
They occur in clothing stored in the dark, unused carpets beneath furniture, textile antiques and leather bags containing natural wool. They prefer quiet, dark areas.
Clothes moth control methods
Monitor with pheromone traps. Spray the warehouse with pyrethroids. Fumigate stored products with phosphine or methyl bromide. For physical control, lower the temperature below 10°C or raise it above 55°C. Rotate stock using FIFO.
Clothes moth control products
Pyrethroids for warehouses, phosphine (PH₃) for fumigation, deltamethrin for residual spraying and diatomaceous earth for grain.
Requirements for controlling clothes moths in food facilities
FSSC 22000 Version 7: stored-product pests are high priority. Pheromone traps with weekly documentation are mandatory. BRCGS: stored-product pests in a product constitute a major Non-Conformance.
A fact about the clothes moth
The clothes moth can convert complex keratin into energy through special enzymes produced by bacteria living in its gut. It is one of the rare organisms that feed on keratin, the material that makes up nails, hair, horns and wool.
Frequently asked questions about the clothes moth
Q: How do stored-product pests enter a facility?
A: Usually through incoming shipments. Carefully inspect samples from each shipment and quarantine new purchases.
Q: Is a low temperature enough to eliminate stored-product pests?
A: Yes. Temperatures below 10°C for two weeks stop reproduction and kill vulnerable stages. Temperatures below −18°C for three days kill all stages
