Carpet Moth Caterpillar Uk

The caterpillars of this delicately patterned moth depend on barberry plants for their survival.

Carpet moth caterpillar uk.

The most obvious difference between the two is that moth caterpillars will usually but not always spin themselves a. The carpet tapestry moth trichophaga tapetzella and the case bearing carpet moth tinea pellionella. The adults can be found at rest on. It is continuously brooded during the summer months from april through to september and adults and larvae could be found in any of these.

Martin townsend and paul waring illustrated by richard lewington british pyralid moths barry goater illustrated by geoffrey senior and robert dyke. Bird nests are the natural habitat of the carpet moth where they feed on keratin in bird feathers. Another way carpet moths get in your house is through second hand rugs curtains or furniture especially antiques as they re more likely to be made from natural materials such as wool or silk. How to get rid of a moth infestation in the kitchen if you notice a musty smell webbing in the corner or a sticky secretion in your food cupboards and or have seen the moths or caterpillars themselves then you need to take action on that area.

Barberry berberis vulgaris is not generally thought to be native to britain but it was once planted widely as a hedgerow shrub as it grows densely and has sharp spines. 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. Wherever pigeons go carpet moths follow. A common species throughout the british isles this moth shows a preference for suburban habitats but can be found almost anywhere.

Moth caterpillars are longer and are usually lighter coloured than the dark brown carpet beetle larvae. Garden carpet xanthorhoe fluctuata linnaeus 1758 wingspan 18 25 mm. The barberry carpet moth pareulype berberata used to be common in many parts of britain until farmers began to rid their hedges of barberry because this shrub harbours the wheat rust fungus. Concise guide to the moths of great britain.

This moth can resemble the galium carpet which has more pointed forewings and more distinct white areas between darker forewing bands. However in the 19th century it was discovered that the plant is a host for a fungus that causes stem rust which damages wheat. Carpet moth and clothes moth caterpillars are usually hairless while carpet beetle larvae are covered in brownish bristles.