Tinea occidentella
Chambers, 1880
Western Clothes Moth
Tinea occidentella is a keratophagous in the , to coastal California and northern Baja California. Despite its "western ," it does not feed on clothing but instead consumes keratin from mammalian scat and bird of pellets. The species is tightly restricted to fog-influenced coastal environments where high humidity allows to obtain water from atmospheric moisture absorbed by their fur and feather diet.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Tinea occidentella: /ˈtɪniə ˌɒksɪdɛnˈtɛlə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from other Tinea by the combination of relatively large size (7–12 mm), dark grey coloration with lighter central forewing region containing a prominent darker fleck, and restriction to coastal fog belt . The "western " is misleading; true clothes moths (Tineola bisselliella, Tinea pellionella) feed on woolens and stored fabrics, whereas T. occidentella feeds only on scat and pellets in natural settings.
Images
Appearance
length 7–12 mm. Dark grey overall with lighter central region on forewing; a darker spot or fleck is prominent within this lighter area.
Habitat
Coastal areas of high humidity derived from advective fog off the sea. Restricted to moist, mild climates where fog, dew, and morning of 99% are common.
Distribution
Pacific coast from San Francisco Bay region through coastal northern Baja California. Virtually restricted to this coastal fog belt; rare or absent in warmer, drier inland areas of its broader geographic region.
Diet
Keratin from fur and feathers in mammalian scat and in pellets of birds of . Also reported to develop on bird carcasses.
Life Cycle
feed upon keratinous materials and require >88–99% for normal growth, survival, , and . Larvae do not absorb water vapor directly from the atmosphere and do not drink; instead, they obtain water via atmospheric moisture absorbed by the fur and feathers of their diet.
Behavior
have been observed to grow normally only when feeding at very high upon fur from pellets and scat.
Ecological Role
Keratophagous ; contributes to breakdown of keratinous materials in scat and raptor pellets in coastal .
Human Relevance
None; does not damage clothing or stored goods despite misleading . Not a household pest.
Similar Taxa
- Tinea pellionellaCasemaking ; true pest of woolens that constructs portable case. T. occidentella does not feed on fabrics and is restricted to natural coastal .
- Tineola bisselliellaWebbing ; major household pest of keratinous fabrics. T. occidentella is not and does not inhabit human dwellings.
Misconceptions
The "western " is a misnomer. This does not eat clothes and is not a household pest. It feeds exclusively on scat and pellets in natural coastal environments.