Tinea pallescentella

Tinea pallescentella, the large pale clothes moth, is a moth of the family Tineidae. It is found in most of Europe (except the Iberian Peninsula and most of the Balkan Peninsula). It is also present in western North America, where it has been recorded from California.[1] There are also records from South America (including Argentina) and Australia.

Large pale clothes moth
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Tineidae
Genus:	Tinea
Species:	T. pallescentella
Binomial name
Tinea pallescentella Stainton, 1851
Synonyms
Tinea coacticella Zagulajev, 1954 Tinea galeatella Mabille, 1888 Tinea horosema Meyrick, 1931 Tinea nigrifoldella Gregson, 1856 Tinea semilineatella Knaben, 1944 Tinea stimulatrix Meyrick, 1931

The wingspan is 12–15 millimetres (0.47–0.59 in). 14-lG mm. The head is light greyish ochreous, fuscous-mixed. Forewings are light greyish-ochreous mixed with fuscous ; base of costa and a short basal subdorsal dash dark fuscous ; stigmata dark fuscous, elongate, plical forming a more or less extended dash along fold ; two indistinct whitish dots beyond second discal ; some cloudy dark fuscous terminal spots. Hindwings very pale grey.[2][3] Adults are on wing year round.

The larvae feed on keratinous animal matter such as hair, wool, fur or feathers.[4]