There are two species of carpet moth found in the uk.
Carpet moth larvae identification uk.
Case bearing carpet moth larvae on fabric.
See the moth identification guides on this site for more information.
Their larvae are most likely to be found munching away underneath some of your bigger and heavier furniture that you rarely move to vacuum.
Identifying a carpet moth the carpet moth is smaller than a common house moth.
The hind wings are smaller in comparison and lighter coloured.
Carpet moths typically live outdoors in bird nests or on animals but there are increasing cases of tinea pellionella being found in uk homes.
Traditionally moth fieldguides have concentrated on the so called macro moths of which there are around 800 regular species.
Here the moths can rest unseen with their superb cryptic camouflage.
Step 2 assess the intensity of your infestation use carpet moth traps to identify how much of a problem you may have unlike many other types of moths.
With a body about 5mm long and a wingspan of about 14 18mm.
What s ukmoths all about.
Adult webbing clothes moths have a wingspread of about 1 2 inch and that of the male is somewhat less.
If you spot a tiny grub wrapped in a woven case dragging itself around you ve got carpet moths.
How can i tell if i have carpet moths.
It inhabits mature deciduous woodland where lichen covers the trunks and branches of the trees.
Brown with a metallic silver y shaped mark on each forewing one of the most commonly seen day flying.
The larvae are creamy white coloured caterpillars which can be as much as a 1 2 inch in length.
Alamy i f you have never heard of the case bearing carpet moth tinea pellionella you are lucky they have probably not invaded your home.
A local species occurring in a range of scattered localities mainly in south west england and wales and parts of scotland but also in a number of other places throughout britain.
Neither species is as common indoors as it used to be as indoor temperatures tend to be too high for them these days due to central heating.
The carpet tapestry moth trichophaga tapetzella and the case bearing carpet moth tinea pellionella.
Ukmoths has been providing identification help and information about britain s moths for over 15 years.
Have a look at our moth id sheet to work out what kind of moth you have spotted.