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Species of fabric pests

There are many different types of fabric pests that cause trouble for Canadians throughout Canada.

Frequently encountered species include:

Case-making clothes moth
Common or webbing clothes moth
Varied carpet beetle

Rarely encountered species include:

Brown house moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella)
Furniture carpet beetle (Anthrenus flavipes)
Black carpet beetle (Attagenus unicolor)

Learn more below about the different types of fabric pests found in Canada.

Case-making clothes moth

Case-making clothes moth

(Tineo pellionella)

Approx. 7-10 mm long.
Forewings are silvery-buff with 3 dark spots.

Lifecycle completion usually takes 3-8 months.
Larva up to 10 mm long when full grown.
Creamy white with dark head.
Usually protected in case made of silk and fibers of feeding material.

Can do extensive damage to woolens, felts, upholstered furniture, clothes, etc.

Webbing clothes moth

Webbing clothes moth

(Tineo bisselliella)

Approx. 8-10 mm long.
Golden buff in colour.
Wings are fringed with no markings.
Wingspan about 12 mm.

Completes in 3- 8 months.
Larva up to 12 mm long when full grown. Often found in a network of silken tubing.

Can damage a variety of animal products, including wool, fur, skins, clothing, carpets, upholstered furniture, and felt.
Larvae may be difficult to spot as they hide in a network of silken tubing.

Varied carpet beetle

Variegated carpet beetle

(Anthrenus verbasci)

Approx. 2-3 mm long.
Mottled yellow, white and black.
Oval shape similar to a ladybird.

Complete in 9-12 months.
Larva up to 4-5 mm long when fully fed.

Damages carpets, underfelt, woollens, fur, feathers.
Can attack stored items such as cereals and meat products.

Black carpet beetle

Black carpet beetle

(Attogenus unicolar)

Approx. 3-5 mm long.
Shiny black to dark brown, with brownish legs.

Completes in 6-12 months.
Larva up to 7 mm long when fully fed.
Reddish brown covered with stiff bristles.

Relatively widespread and destructive.
Often associated with bird- nesting in roof cavities.
Amongst others, leather, silk, carpet, and felt all at risk of infestation.

Furniture carpet beetle

Furniture carpet beetle

(Anthrenus flavipes)

Approx. 2-3.5 mm long.
Mottled yellow, white and black markings.

Completes lifecycle in 9-12 months.
Dark colour larva up to 5 mm long when fully fed.
Wide at front, narrow towards the rear.

Can do damage to upholstered furniture, carpets and some stored food products.
Not as destructive as black and variegated carpet beetles.

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