Carpet Moth Larvae Cocoon

Tinea pellionella are carpet moth lavea in a cocoon case they look like tiny bullet shaped cotton bud tips with open ends and the creature sticks its head out and can move the cocoon usually up walls and are often found in the bases of divan beds.

Carpet moth larvae cocoon.

The eggs are only 1mm long but once hatched into larvae search for food immediately and along with wool can consume cotton linen and silk. Their larvae which are caterpillars are voracious eaters. First and foremost any opening can be inviting for these moths. Case bearing carpet moth larvae on fabric.

Let s look at how are they able to trespass on your property. The carpet tapestry moth does not only feed on carpet but will also eat clothing fur animal skin and any textiles or upholstery made of natural fibres. They eat a lot. Carpet moths can cause expensive and upsetting damage once they find their way into your house.

Eggs hatch into larvae and larvae pupate into carpet moths. Each larva spins a cocoon when it pupates so the presence of silk like casings also indicate carpet moths. The larva moults within the case and when fully grown it pupates within the cocoon and eventually the adult moth emerges to mate and lay eggs. In warmer areas they can go from egg to pupation into adults in little over a month.

Some moths such as the clothes moth may find their way into homes. Infested material is often littered with empty silk bags or cases figure 6 which resemble grains of rice. The larvae do the real damage. 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.

Caterpillars spin silk and this silk is used to form the cocoon for the pupal stage of development the final stage before adulthood. The adult carpet moths can easily fly in through windows doors or cracks. Eventually making a cocoon and hatching into moths to repeat the cycle. The larvae then leave a mark everywhere they go.

Carpet tapestry moths tend to lay their eggs in the darkest patches of your carpet such as under furniture behind curtains or by skirting boards.