Tinea dubiella
Stainton, 1859
Buff Clothes Moth
Tinea dubiella is a small in the Tineidae, commonly known as the Buff . Native to Europe, it has established in New Zealand. are and active in mid-summer. The larvae feed on keratinous materials including wool, hides, furs, and feathers, and are often found in indoor environments such as barns and stables.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Tinea dubiella: /ˈtɪniə dʌˈbiɛlə/
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Identification
Difficult to distinguish from related Tinea columbariella, Tinea pellionella, and Tinea svenssoni based on external alone. The genitalia are diagnostic for accurate identification.
Habitat
Found indoors, including in barns and stables. Specific outdoor preferences are not documented.
Distribution
Native to Europe; recorded from Britain and Belgium. Established in New Zealand as an introduced .
Seasonality
fly at night from July to August.
Diet
Larva feeds on wool, hides, furs, feathers, and insect collections.
Life Cycle
Larva is whitish with a reddish-brown . details are not documented. emerge and fly in mid-summer.
Behavior
activity.
Human Relevance
Considered a pest due to larval feeding on stored animal products, including woolens and natural history specimens.
Similar Taxa
- Tinea pellionellaCasemaking clothes moth with similar appearance and overlapping distribution; distinguished by larval of constructing portable silk cases and by genitalia.
- Tinea columbariellaSimilar grey-brown forewing pattern; requires genitalial examination for definitive separation.
- Tinea svenssoniClosely related with similar external ; genitalia are diagnostic.