The commonest of the so-called clothes
moths, with characteristic golden-bronze
wings, flecked with black, folded flat along
its back. The adult is about 8mm long and
prefers to run rather than fly. The related
White Shouldered House Moth has mottled
wings with a white head and "shoulders"
where the wings join the body. Eggs are
attached to fabric on which grubs will feed.
The larvae are creamy-white caterpillars
with brown heads. They frow up to 18mm long,
feeding on wool, hair, fur, feathers, cork
or cereals, and are common scavengers in
old birds' nests, from which they may enter
buildings. The caterpillars spin silken
cocoons in which they pupate. The life cycle
takes several months to complete. Only the
larval stage feeds, as a general scavenger
as well as a textile pest.
