Carpet moth

Trichophaga tapetzella, the tapestry moth or carpet moth, is a moth of the family Tineidae. It is found worldwide.

This term is also used for several geometer moths of the subfamily Larentiinae called "carpets".

Carpet moth
Adult specimen
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Tineidae
Genus:
Trichophaga
Species:
T. tapetzella
Binomial name
Trichophaga tapetzella
Synonyms
  • Tinea tapetzella Linnaeus, 1758
  • Trichophaga palaestrica Butler, 1877
  • Trichophaga tapetiella (lapsus)
  • Tinea pulchella Fabricius, 1794

The wingspan is 14–18 mm. The head is white, the forewings ochreous-white, thinly strigulated with grey; basal 2/5 dark purplish-fuscous; a roundish grey posterior discal spot; some small black spots about apex. Hindwings light brassy-grey.[1] The moth flies from June to September depending on the location.

The larvae feed on animal skin, bird nests, pellets, fur, clothing and floor and furniture covering made of animal skin.

Tapestry moths complete their cycles within a year and are more like webbing clothes moths in that they spin webbing in areas where they like to reside. Their speed of development depends entirely upon local temperature, humidity and food supplies.

References
  1. Meyrick, E., 1895 A Handbook of British Lepidoptera MacMillan, London pdf This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Keys and description


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