clothes moth

noun

1. any of several small moths of the family Tineidae, the larvae of which feed on wool, fur, etc., especially Tinea pellionella casemaking clothes moth.

clothes moth

noun

1. any of various tineid moths, esp Tineola bisselliella, the larvae of which feed on wool or fur

Word History and Origins

Origin of clothes moth¹

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

The larv of the clothes moth do an immense amount of damage, especially to stored clothing.

From Project Gutenberg

It is closely related to the clothes moth and, like the moth, bores in its larval stage, feeding on the mesophyl of the leaves.

From Project Gutenberg

After a while a baby clothes moth, a whitish worm, hatches out.

From Project Gutenberg

For over a fortnight we once enjoyed the company of the caterpillar of a common clothes moth.

From Project Gutenberg

Successive broods of the clothes moth appear through the summer.

From Project Gutenberg