Carpet moth

This term is also used for several geometer moths of the subfamily Larentiinae called "carpets".

Trichophaga tapetzella, the tapestry moth or carpet moth, is a moth of the family Tineidae, commonly referred to as fungus moths. It is found worldwide.

Carpet moth
Adult specimen
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Tineidae
Genus:	Trichophaga
Species:	T. tapetzella
Binomial name
Trichophaga tapetzella (Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms
Tinea tapetzella Linnaeus, 1758 Trichophaga palaestrica Butler, 1877 Trichophaga tapetiella (lapsus) Tinea pulchella Fabricius, 1794

The wingspan is 14–18 mm. The head is white, the forewings ochreous-white, thinly strigulated with grey; basal 2/5 dark purplish-fuscous; a roundish grey posterior discal spot; some small black spots about apex. Hindwings light brassy-grey.^[1][2][3][4]

The moth flies from June to September depending on the location.

The larvae feed on animal skin, bird nests, pellets, fur, clothing and floor and furniture covering made of animal skin. They can cause significant damage to carpets, clothes, and other household fabrics.

Tapestry moths complete their cycles within a year and are more like webbing clothes moths in that they spin webbing in areas where they like to reside. Their speed of development depends entirely upon local temperature, humidity and food supplies.