''Tineola bisselliella'', known as the common clothes moth, webbing clothes moth, or simply clothing moth, is a

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

fungus moth Tineidae is a family of moths in the order Lepidoptera described by Pierre André Latreille in 1810. Collectively, they are known as fungus moths or tineid moths. The family contains considerably more than 3,000 species in more than 300 genera. ...

(

family Family (from ) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictabili ...

Tineidae Tineidae is a family of moths in the order Lepidoptera described by Pierre André Latreille in 1810. Collectively, they are known as fungus moths or tineid moths. The family contains considerably more than 3,000 species in more than 300 genera. ...

subfamily In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end botanical subfamily names with "-oideae", and zo ...

Tineinae The Tineinae are a subfamily of moths of the family Tineidae. Genera * ''Acridotarsa'' * '' Anomalotinea'' * '' Asymphyla'' * '' Ceratobia'' * '' Ceratophaga'' * '' Ceratuncus'' * '' Crypsithyris'' * '' Crypsithyrodes'' * '' Eccritothrix'' * '' ...

). It is the

type species In International_Code_of_Zoological_Nomenclature, zoological nomenclature, a type species (''species typica'') is the species name with which the name of a genus or subgenus is considered to be permanently taxonomically associated, i.e., the spe ...

of its

genus Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...

Tineola ''Tineola'' is a genus of moths of the family Tineidae. There are two species, including the familiar common clothes moth (''T. bisselliella'').first described by the Swedish entomologist

Arvid David Hummel Arvid David Hummel (30 April 1778, Gothenburg – 20 October 1836, Ekenäs, Finland, Ekenäs) was a Sweden, Swedish entomologist. Hummel was a Civil law notary, notary. He wrote ''Essais entomologiques''. St. Pétersbourg: de l'Imprimerie de la C ...

in 1823. It and a number of closely-related species are together known as the

clothes moth Clothes moth or clothing moth is the common name for several species of moth considered to be pests, whose larvae eat animal fibres (hairs), including clothing and other fabrics. These include: * ''Tineola bisselliella'', the common clothes mot ...

s due to their role as

pests PESTS was an anonymous American activist group formed in 1986 to critique racism, tokenism, and exclusion in the art world. PESTS produced newsletters, posters, and other print material highlighting examples of discrimination in gallery represent ...

in human households. The

specific name Specific name may refer to: * in Database management systems, a system-assigned name that is unique within a particular database In taxonomy, either of these two meanings, each with its own set of rules: * Specific name (botany), the two-part (bino ...

is commonly misspelled ''biselliella'' – for example by G. A. W. Herrich-Schäffer, when he established ''Tineola'' in 1853. The

larvae A larva (; : larvae ) is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into their next life stage. Animals with indirect developmental biology, development such as insects, some arachnids, amphibians, or cnidarians typical ...

(

caterpillar Caterpillars ( ) are the larval stage of members of the order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterflies and moths). As with most common names, the application of the word is arbitrary, since the larvae of sawflies (suborder ...

s) of this moth are considered a serious pest, as they can derive nourishment from clothing – in particular

wool Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and other mammals, especially goats, rabbits, and camelids. The term may also refer to inorganic materials, such as mineral wool and glass wool, that have some properties similar to animal w ...

, but many other natural fibres – and also, like most related species, from stored foods, such as grains.

Description

''Tineola bisselliella'' is a small moth of body length and wingspan (most commonly ). 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).

Life cycle

Females lay eggs in clusters of between 30 and 200, which adhere to surfaces with a gelatin-like glue. These hatch between four and ten days later into near-microscopic white caterpillars which immediately begin to feed. They will also spin mats under which to feed without being readily noticed and from which they will partially emerge at night or under dark conditions to acquire food. Development to the next stage takes place through between five and 45

instar An instar (, from the Latin '' īnstar'' 'form, likeness') is a developmental stage of arthropods, such as insects, which occurs between each moult (''ecdysis'') until sexual maturity is reached. Arthropods must shed the exoskeleton in order to ...

s typically over between one month and two years until the pupal stage is reached. At this point, the caterpillars spin cocoons and spend another approximately 10–50 days developing into adults. After pupation is complete, the adult moths emerge and begin searching for mates. Females tend to move less than males, and both sexes prefer scuttling over surfaces to flying— some adults never fly at all. Adults can live for an additional 15–30 days, after which they die (otherwise death takes place shortly after mating for males and shortly after egg laying for females). Life cycle may be completed within one month under the most favorable conditions ( and 70–75%

relative humidity Humidity is the concentration of water vapor present in the air. Water vapor, the gaseous state of water, is generally invisible to the human eye. Humidity indicates the likelihood for precipitation (meteorology), precipitation, dew, or fog t ...

) but may take several years (lower temperatures and humidity will only slow development, larvae will still hatch and grow at temperatures as low as and can survive up to ). Unlike the caterpillars, the adult moths do not feed: they acquire all of the nutrition and moisture they need while in the larval stage, and once they hatch from cocoons their only goal is to reproduce. Adult mouth parts are atrophied and cannot be used on fabric or clothing. All feeding damage is done by the caterpillar (larval) form. The moths are seasonal in the wild, however heated buildings allow clothes moths to develop year-round. The overall life cycle from egg to egg typically takes 4–6 months, with two generations per year.

Range and ecology

This moth's natural range is the western

Palearctic The Palearctic or Palaearctic is a biogeographic realm of the Earth, the largest of eight. Confined almost entirely to the Eastern Hemisphere, it stretches across Europe and Asia, north of the foothills of the Himalayas, and North Africa. Th ...

, but it has been transported by human travelers to other localities. For example, it is nowadays found in Australia. The species' presence has not been recorded in France, Greece, Slovenia and Switzerland, though this probably reflects the lack of occurrence data rather than absence. This species is notorious for feeding on clothing and natural fibers; they have the ability to digest

keratin Keratin () is one of a family of structural fibrous proteins also known as ''scleroproteins''. It is the key structural material making up Scale (anatomy), scales, hair, Nail (anatomy), nails, feathers, horn (anatomy), horns, claws, Hoof, hoove ...

protein in wool and silk. The moths prefer dirty fabric for

oviposition The ovipositor is a tube-like organ used by some animals, especially insects, for the laying of eggs. In insects, an ovipositor consists of a maximum of three pairs of appendages. The details and morphology of the ovipositor vary, but typica ...

and are particularly attracted to carpeting and clothing that contains human sweat or other organic liquids which have been spilled onto them; traces of dirt may provide essential nutrients for larval development. Larvae are attracted to these areas not only for the food but for traces of moisture; they do not require liquid water. The range of recorded foodstuffs includes linen, silk and wool fabrics as well as furs. They will eat synthetic and cotton fibers if they are blended with wool and may use some cotton to build their cocoon. Furthermore, they have been found on shed feathers and hair, bran, semolina and flour (possibly preferring wheat flour), biscuits, casein, and insect specimens in museums. In one case, living ''T. bisselliella'' caterpillars were found in salt. They had probably accidentally wandered there, as even to such a

polyphagous Feeding is the process by which organisms, typically animals, obtain food. Terminology often uses either the suffixes -vore, -vory, or -vorous from Latin ''vorare'', meaning "to devour", or -phage, -phagy, or -phagous from Greek φαγε ...

species as this one pure

sodium chloride Sodium chloride , commonly known as Salt#Edible salt, edible salt, is an ionic compound with the chemical formula NaCl, representing a 1:1 ratio of sodium and chloride ions. It is transparent or translucent, brittle, hygroscopic, and occurs a ...

has no nutritional value and is in fact a strong

desiccant A desiccant is a hygroscopic substance that is used to induce or sustain a state of dryness (desiccation) in its vicinity; it is the opposite of a humectant. Commonly encountered pre-packaged desiccants are solids that absorb water. Desiccant ...

, but this still attests to their robustness. Unfavorable temperature and humidity can slow development, but will not always stop it. Both adults and larvae prefer low light conditions. Whereas many other

are drawn to light, common clothes moths seem to prefer dim or dark areas. If larvae find themselves in a well-lit room, they will try to relocate under furniture or carpet edges. Handmade rugs are a favorite, because it is easy for the larvae to crawl underneath and do their damage from below. They will also crawl under moldings at the edges of rooms in search of darkened areas where fibrous debris has gathered and which consequently hold good food. Larvae can also sometimes act as

bookworm A bookworm or bibliophile is an individual who loves and frequently reads or collects books. Bibliophilia or bibliophilism is the love of books. Bibliophiles may have large, specialized book collections. They may highly value old editions, aut ...

s, chewing through paper (which provides them no nutrition) to reach book bindings or mold colonies for nourishment.Parker, Thomas A (1988). Study on integrated pest management for libraries and archives, General Information Programme and UNISIST,

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...

. PGI.88/WS/20. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000082141.locale=en Clothes moth

Pest control

Airtight containers should be used to prevent re-infestation once eggs, larvae, and moths are killed by any of the following methods. Control measures for ''T. bisselliella'' (and similar species) include the following: * Anoxic measures work by displacing

oxygen Oxygen is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol, symbol O and atomic number 8. It is a member of the chalcogen group (periodic table), group in the periodic table, a highly reactivity (chemistry), reactive nonmetal (chemistry), non ...

with an inert gas, asphyxiating the insects ** Carbon dioxide anoxia – Similar to cryofumigation, but using compressed dry

carbon dioxide Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound with the chemical formula . It is made up of molecules that each have one carbon atom covalent bond, covalently double bonded to two oxygen atoms. It is found in a gas state at room temperature and at norma ...

gas to exclude oxygen Treatment for one week at is recommended. ** Nitrogen anoxia – Similar to cryofumigation, but using dry

nitrogen Nitrogen is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol N and atomic number 7. Nitrogen is a Nonmetal (chemistry), nonmetal and the lightest member of pnictogen, group 15 of the periodic table, often called the Pnictogen, pnictogens. ...

gas to exclude oxygen This process may cost more than carbon dioxide treatment. ** Argon anoxia – Similar to cryofumigation, but using dry

argon Argon is a chemical element; it has symbol Ar and atomic number 18. It is in group 18 of the periodic table and is a noble gas. Argon is the third most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere, at 0.934% (9340 ppmv). It is more than twice as abu ...

gas to exclude oxygen. This process may cost more than carbon dioxide treatment. * Physical measures ** Brushing vigorously in bright light can dislodge eggs and larvae, which may drop to the ground. ** Clothing moth traps – Usually consisting of adhesive-lined cardboard enclosures baited with artificial

pheromone A pheromone () is a secreted or excreted chemical factor that triggers a social response in members of the same species. Pheromones are chemicals capable of acting like hormones outside the body of the secreting individual, to affect the behavio ...

s, this measure can help monitor the current infestation and prevent males from mating with females. Only males are drawn to the traps. **

Dry cleaning Dry cleaning is any cleaning process for clothing and textiles using a solvent other than water. Clothes are instead soaked in a water-free liquid solvent (usually non-polar, as opposed to water which is a Solvent#Solvent classifications, polar ...

– This kills moths on existing clothing and helps remove moisture from clothes. ** Freezing – Freezing the object for several days at temperatures below to kill larvae. However, eggs survive freezing to -23 °C. ** Heat ( for 30 minutes or more) – these conditions may possibly be achieved by placing infested materials in an attic or sun-baked automobile in hot weather, or by washing clothes at or above this temperature. Specialist pest controllers can also provide various methods of heat treatment. ** Vacuuming – Since the moths like to hide in carpeting and baseboards (skirting), this is an important step towards full eradication. After thorough vacuuming, the bag should immediately be disposed of outside. ** Burning – fire will destroy any live insects or larvae. * Mothproofing chemicals – Treatment of materials as a preventive measure before their use, as well as simply for storage, has a long history.

Arsenic Arsenic is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol As and atomic number 33. It is a metalloid and one of the pnictogens, and therefore shares many properties with its group 15 neighbors phosphorus and antimony. Arsenic is not ...

al compounds were effective in killing larvae but were considered too toxic for human contact even in the early twentieth century.

Triphenyltin chloride Triphenyltin chloride is an organotin compound with formula Sn(C6H5)3Cl. It is a colourless solid that dissolves in organic solvents and slowly reacts with water. Applications The main use for this compound is as a fungicide and antifoulant. Tr ...

was effective at 0.25%. After 1947,

chlorinated hydrocarbon Organochlorine chemistry is concerned with the properties of organochlorine compounds, or organochlorides, organic compounds that contain one or more carbon–chlorine bonds. The chloroalkane class (alkanes with one or more hydrogens substituted ...

insecticides of many varieties were found to be effective at the low concentrations practical for preservative treatment. Examples are

chlordane Chlordane, or chlordan, is an organochlorine compound that was used as a pesticide. It is a white solid. In the United States, chlordane was used for termite-treatment of approximately 30 million homes until it was banned in 1988. Chlordane was b ...

at 2% per weight of wool,

toxaphene Toxaphene was an insecticide used primarily for cotton in the southern United States during the late 1960s and the 1970s. Toxaphene is a mixture of over 670 different chemicals and is produced by reacting chlorine gas with camphene. It can be mo ...

at 0.8%,

pentachlorophenol Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is an organochlorine compound used as a pesticide and a disinfectant. First produced in the 1930s, it is marketed under many trade names. It can be found as pure PCP, or as the sodium salt of PCP, the latter of which disso ...

or BHC at 0.5%,

DDT Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, commonly known as DDT, is a colorless, tasteless, and almost odorless crystalline chemical compound, an organochloride. Originally developed as an insecticide, it became infamous for its environmental impacts. ...

at 0.2%,

chlordecone Chlordecone, better known in the United States under the brand name Kepone, is an organochlorine compound and a colourless solid. It is an obsolete insecticide, now prohibited in the Western world, but only after many thousands of tonnes had be ...

and

mirex Mirex is an organochloride that was commercialized as an insecticide and later banned because of its impact on the environment. This white crystalline odorless solid is a derivative of both cyclopentadiene and cubane. It was popularized to cont ...

at 0.06%, and

dieldrin Dieldrin is an organochlorine compound originally produced in 1948 by J. Hyman & Co, Denver, as an insecticide. Dieldrin is closely related to aldrin, which reacts further to form dieldrin. Aldrin is not toxic to insects; it is oxidized in the i ...

at 0.05%.

Imidazole Imidazole (ImH) is an organic compound with the formula . It is a white or colourless solid that is soluble in water, producing a mildly alkaline solution. It can be classified as a heterocycle, specifically as a diazole. Many natural products, ...

(a non-chlorinated

aromatic In organic chemistry, aromaticity is a chemical property describing the way in which a conjugated system, conjugated ring of unsaturated bonds, lone pairs, or empty orbitals exhibits a stabilization stronger than would be expected from conjugati ...

heterocyclic A heterocyclic compound or ring structure is a cyclic compound that has atoms of at least two different elements as members of its ring(s). Heterocyclic organic chemistry is the branch of organic chemistry dealing with the synthesis, proper ...

) at 1% also gave satisfactory protection. A chemically related molecule,

econazole Econazole is an antifungal medication of the imidazole class. It was patented in 1968, and approved for medical use in 1974. Medical uses Econazole is used as a cream to treat skin infections such as athlete's foot, tinea, pityriasis versic ...

nitrate, was found to exhibit strong anti-feeding properties against the common clothes moth. Besides solvent-based applications, insecticidal dusts were commonly used to treat fabrics. In the 1950s EQ-53, a DDT emulsion, was recommended by the US Department of Agriculture to add to the final rinse of washable woolens, but even then cautions were given to the use of chlorinated hydrocarbons on items subject to commercial drycleaning. The 1985 United States EPA ban on most uses of

Aldrin Aldrin is an organochlorine insecticide that was widely used until the 1990s, when it was banned in most countries. Aldrin is a member of the so-called "classic organochlorines" (COC) group of pesticides. COCs enjoyed a very sharp rise in popular ...

and

Dieldrin Dieldrin is an organochlorine compound originally produced in 1948 by J. Hyman & Co, Denver, as an insecticide. Dieldrin is closely related to aldrin, which reacts further to form dieldrin. Aldrin is not toxic to insects; it is oxidized in the i ...

exempted moth-proofing in a closed manufacturing process. Triazole, thiazole, and imidazole derivatives have an anti-feeding effect on ''Tineola bisselliella'' larvae when wool is treated with these compounds. At 3% on mass of wool, both epoxiconazole and econazole nitrate protect wool fabric from ''Tineola bisselliella'' to the standard specified by Wools of New Zealand Test Method 25 (based on ISO 3998-1977(E). *

Mothball Mothballs are small balls of chemical pesticide and deodorant, sometimes used when storing clothing and other materials susceptible to damage from silverfish, Mold (fungus), mold or moth larvae (especially clothes moths like ''Tineola bissell ...

s – Used primarily as a preservative but also will kill existing larvae if the concentration is high enough. There are two types of mothball: early twentieth century ones were often based on

naphthalene Naphthalene is an organic compound with formula . It is the simplest polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, and is a white Crystal, crystalline solid with a characteristic odor that is detectable at concentrations as low as 0.08 Parts-per notation ...

, while mid twentieth century ones often used

paradichlorobenzene 1,4-Dichlorobenzene (1,4-DCB, ''p''-DCB, or ''para''-dichlorobenzene, sometimes abbreviated as PDCB or para) is an aryl chloride and isomer of dichlorobenzene with the chemical formula, formula C6H4Cl2. This colorless solid has a strong odor. The ...

. Both chemical crystals sublimate into a gas, which is heavier than air and needs to reach a high concentration around the protected material to be effective. Disadvantages: Vapors are toxic and

carcinogenic A carcinogen () is any agent that promotes the development of cancer. Carcinogens can include synthetic chemicals, naturally occurring substances, physical agents such as ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, and Biological agent, biologic agent ...

; mothballs are poisonous and should not be put where they can be eaten by children or pets. Naphthalene mothballs are also highly

flammable A combustible material is a material that can burn (i.e., sustain a flame) in air under certain conditions. A material is flammable if it ignites easily at ambient temperatures. In other words, a combustible material ignites with some effort ...

. *

Insecticide Insecticides are pesticides used to kill insects. They include ovicides and larvicides used against insect eggs and larvae, respectively. The major use of insecticides is in agriculture, but they are also used in home and garden settings, i ...

s – Typically

aerosol An aerosol is a suspension (chemistry), suspension of fine solid particles or liquid Drop (liquid), droplets in air or another gas. Aerosols can be generated from natural or Human impact on the environment, human causes. The term ''aerosol'' co ...

application works best if coverage is adequate. Treat once a month for the first three months and then once a quarter for the next year to ensure the infestation is under control. **

Permethrin Permethrin is a medication and an insecticide. As a medication, it is used to treat scabies and lice. It is applied to the skin as a cream or lotion. As an insecticide, it can be sprayed onto outer clothing or mosquito nets to kill the insects ...

– A particular synthetic pyrethroid available as aerosol spray. Disadvantages: very toxic to

cat The cat (''Felis catus''), also referred to as the domestic cat or house cat, is a small domesticated carnivorous mammal. It is the only domesticated species of the family Felidae. Advances in archaeology and genetics have shown that the ...

s and

fish A fish (: fish or fishes) is an aquatic animal, aquatic, Anamniotes, anamniotic, gill-bearing vertebrate animal with swimming fish fin, fins and craniate, a hard skull, but lacking limb (anatomy), limbs with digit (anatomy), digits. Fish can ...

. As ''Tineola bisselliella'' is the major worldwide pest for woollen products, permethrin-based agents have been commercialised for the protection of wool from this and other keratinophagous species.Ingham, P. E.; McNeil, S. J.; Sunderland, M. R. (2012). "Functional finishes for wool – Eco considerations". ''Advanced Materials Research'', 441: 33–43. http://www.scientific.net/AMR.441.33 **

Pyrethroid A pyrethroid is an organic compound similar to the natural pyrethrins, which are produced by the flowers of pyrethrums (''Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium'' and ''Chrysanthemum coccineum, C. coccineum''). Pyrethroids are used as commercial and hou ...

s or

pyrethrin The pyrethrins are a class of organic compounds normally derived from ''Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium'' that have potent Insecticide, insecticidal activity by targeting the nervous systems of insects. Pyrethrin naturally occurs in chrysanthemum f ...

s (e.g. Cy-Kick,

Deltamethrin Deltamethrin is a pyrethroid ester insecticide. Deltamethrin plays a key role in controlling malaria vectors, and is used in the manufacture of long-lasting insecticidal mosquito nets; however, resistance of mosquitos and bed bugs to deltamethrin ...

, and d-Phenothrin which is used in 'Raid' fly spray ) – Synthetic or natural pyrethrins available as aerosol spray or as dusts. Disadvantages: some are persistent in the ecosystem and toxic to fish, possibly resistance. **

Pyriproxyfen Pyriproxyfen is a pesticide which is found to be effective against a variety of insects. It was introduced to the US in 1996, to protect cotton crops against whitefly. It has also been found useful for protecting other crops. It is also used as a ...

(or other juvenile hormone analogs) – Stops the life cycle by preventing the caterpillars from pupating. **

Bifenthrin Bifenthrin is a pyrethroid insecticide. It is widely used against ant infestations. Chemical properties Bifenthrin is poorly soluble in water and often remains in soil. Its residual half-life in soil is between 7 days and 8 months, depending on ...

- A synthetic pyrethroid commercialised as an alternative to permethrin, for the protection of woollen products from ''Tineola bisselliella'' and other species. **

Chlorfenapyr Chlorfenapyr is an insecticide, and specifically a pro-insecticide (meaning it is metabolized into an active insecticide after entering the host). It is derived from a class of microbially produced compounds known as halogenated pyrroles. Histor ...

- A halogenated pyrrole insecticide commercialised as an alternative to synthetic pyrethroid insecticides in the protection of woollen products from ''Tineola bisselliella'' and other species. * Biological measures **

Camphor Camphor () is a waxy, colorless solid with a strong aroma. It is classified as a terpenoid and a cyclic ketone. It is found in the wood of the camphor laurel (''Cinnamomum camphora''), a large evergreen tree found in East Asia; and in the kapu ...

– Possibly safer alternative to mothballs. **

Eastern red cedar ''Juniperus virginiana'', also known as eastern redcedar, red cedar, Virginian juniper, eastern juniper, red juniper, and other local names, is a species of juniper native to eastern North America from southeastern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico an ...

– Questionable value as long-term deterrent. While the

volatile oil An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile (easily evaporated at normal temperatures) chemical compounds from plants. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils, aetheroleum, or simply as the o ...

is able to kill small larvae, it is difficult to maintain sufficient concentrations of it around stored articles to be effective; cedar wood loses all moth-suppressant capabilities after a few years. Distilled red cedar oil is commercially available to renew dried-out cedar wood. Airtight construction is more important than the type of wood used to make a container. **

Lavender ''Lavandula'' (common name lavender) is a genus of 47 known species of perennial flowering plants in the sage family, Lamiaceae. It is native plant, native to the Old World, primarily found across the drier, warmer regions of the Mediterranean ...

– Either bags with dried lavender flowers are put into the wardrobe (they can be refreshed by putting a few drops of

lavender oil Lavender oil is an essential oil obtained by distillation from the flower spikes of certain species of lavender. It is commonly used in aromatherapy, perfumery, and as a flavoring or fragrance in consumer products. A standardized oral ...

on them), or a few drops of lavender oil are put on a piece of fabric which is then deposited in the wardrobe and periodically refreshed. Disadvantage: strong "perfumed" smell. ** Trichogrammatid wasps (e.g. '' Trichogramma evanescens'') – Tiny

parasitoid wasp Parasitoid wasps are a large group of hymenopteran Superfamily (zoology), superfamilies, with all but the wood wasps (Orussoidea) being in the wasp-waisted Apocrita. As parasitoids, they lay their eggs on or in the bodies of other arthropods, ...

s which place their own eggs inside those of the moths; their larvae eat the moth eggs. Trichogrammatid wasps are harmless to humans, measuring only about . Once moth eggs are eaten, the wasps vanish within 2–4 weeks.

Synonyms

The common clothes moth is such a widespread and frequently seen species that it has been described time and again under a variety of

junior synonym In taxonomy, the scientific classification of living organisms, a synonym is an alternative scientific name for the accepted scientific name of a taxon. The botanical and zoological codes of nomenclature treat the concept of synonymy differently. ...

s and other now-invalid

scientific name In Taxonomy (biology), taxonomy, binomial nomenclature ("two-term naming system"), also called binary nomenclature, is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, both of which use Latin gramm ...

s: * ''Tinea biselliella'' Staudinger, 1899 (''

lapsus In philology, a lapsus (Latin for "lapse, slip, error") is an involuntary mistake made while writing or speaking. Investigations In 1895 an investigation into verbal slips was undertaken by a philologist and a psychologist, Rudolf Meringer and ...

'') * ''Tinea bisselliella'' Hummel, 1823 * ''Tinea crinella'' Sodoffsky, 1830 * ''Tinea destructor'' Stephens, 1825 * '' Tinea flavifrontella'' Thunberg, 1794 (''non'' Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775: preoccupied) * ''Tinea lanariella'' Clemens, 1859 * '' Tinea vestianella'' (''sensu auct., non'' Linnaeus, 1758:

preoccupied In biology, a homonym is a name for a taxon that is identical in spelling to another such name, that belongs to a different taxon. The rule in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature is that the first such name to be published is the s ...

) * ''Tineola furciferella'' Zaguljaev, 1954

References

External links

Clothes Moths Management Guidelines
*
Clothes Moths, Kansas State UniversityLepiforum e. V.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tineola Bisselliella Tineinae Household pest insects Moths described in 1823 Taxa named by Arvid David Hummel