Carpet Moth Caterpillar Uk

Martin townsend and paul waring illustrated by richard lewington british pyralid moths barry goater illustrated by geoffrey senior and robert dyke.

Carpet moth caterpillar uk.

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. 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. Bird nests are the natural habitat of the carpet moth where they feed on keratin in bird feathers. Wherever pigeons go carpet moths follow.

However in the 19th century it was discovered that the plant is a host for a fungus that causes stem rust which damages wheat. The caterpillars of this delicately patterned moth depend on barberry plants for their survival. Darker forms of the moth found in the northern isles northern scotland and urban parts of london resemble the striped twin spot carpet but the dark band on the forewings is darker on the leading half in the garden carpet. It is continuously brooded during the summer months from april through to september and adults and larvae could be found in any of these.

Moth caterpillars are longer and are usually lighter coloured than the dark brown carpet beetle larvae. A common species throughout the british isles this moth shows a preference for suburban habitats but can be found almost anywhere. 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. 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.

The carpet tapestry moth trichophaga tapetzella and the case bearing carpet moth tinea pellionella. 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. Concise guide to the moths of great britain. The most obvious difference between the two is that moth caterpillars will usually but not always spin themselves a.

Carpet moth and clothes moth caterpillars are usually hairless while carpet beetle larvae are covered in brownish bristles. Garden carpet xanthorhoe fluctuata linnaeus 1758 wingspan 18 25 mm. There are two species of carpet moth found in the uk.