Page 165 - Florida Pest Control Examinations

CASEMAKING CLOTHES MOTH CASEMAKING CLOTHES MOTH
ON WOOL DAMAGE

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
1.Antenna- thin, hairlike 6.Thorax CASEMAKING CLOTHES MOTH
2.Eyes- compound 7.Petiole- none
3 . H e a d 8 . A b d o m e n 1 5
4.Legs- 6 9.Color- grayish-brown
5.Wings- 3 dark spots on front 10.Other- larvae can’t leave case

Life Cycle
The female lays eggs directly in the infected materials. In about a week, the larvae
hatch and spin a web around themselves. The larval stage lasts from 10-12 weeks.
The pupa also form within the same case once both ends are sealed they stay 4
inside for 9-19 days before emerging. The adult will only live for a few days. Three
to four generations can be produced each year.
Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
CASEMAKING CLOTHES MOTH Actual size 1/4”
The larvae of these moths live in a portable, flat silken case, which they carry as they feed. Larvae do the damage, and are
able to turn completely around within their case. The larva must remain in its case at all times; it will die if removed. The case
is usually noticed on walls. The adult is small, only about ¼ inch long, and is grayish-brown in color. They eat any natural
fibers from animals (such as wool), and will not touch silk, paper, or any plant materials. They will also feed on blended fibers
as long as some are natural.
PLASTER BAGWORM-CASES PLASTER BAGWORM-CASES

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
1.Antenna- none on larvae 6.Thorax
2.Eyes 7.Petiole- none PLASTER BAGWORM
3.Head- comes out of end of case 8.Abdomen
4.Legs- 3 pair on larvae 9.Color- grayish or brownish case CASE
5.Wings- none 10.Other- hard to ever see larvae
Life Cycle
Females lay about 200 eggs at cracks and crevices of walls and floors, which hatch in around 10
days. The larvae create a case just before they hatch, and it is enlarged during each instar phase.
The case reaches about a half-inch in size, but the larva is only about 1/3 inch. It has three pairs
of legs by which it moves around to feed. After about 50 days, the larvae will pupate for another
two weeks, so it takes an average of 75 days for the egg to adult life cycle to be completed. The 9
adult moth is about a half-inch in size.
Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
PLASTER BAGWORM
Actual size 1/2”
The Plaster Bagworm is now known by the new name of Household Casebearer. They are actually the larvae of a moth,
encased in an unusual case about the size and shape of a watermelon seed-about ½ inch long. They require areas of high
humidity, and are frequently found in garages, windows, and on furniture. When they are found in houses, they will eat fabrics
and hair, but in garages they usually eat spider webs or dead insects.
The case is usually gray, and covered with debris such as dirt particles, lint, and even remains of other cases. There is an
opening at each end, and the larvae can turn around in the case and poke out of either side to feed. They never leave the case.

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