Scientific name: Hofmannophila pseudospretella
Distribution
Worldwide, especially in temperate regions.
Pest Type
Secondary pest, scavenger.
Identification
Adults: 8–14 mm long from head to reach, with a wingspan of 17–25 mm. The labial palps are long and strongly curved upwards. Head and thorax are brown, and the forewings are mottled brown.
Life Cycle
At optimum conditions of 29 ℃ temperature and 90% relative humidity, the life cycle will be completed in 62 days. The eggs are laid in commodities.The larvae feed externally and may create irregular holes into attacked commodities. They produce silk webbing as they feed and pupate. The adults are short-lived, fly, and do not feed on commodity.
Commodities attacked
Aged residues, bird nests, woollen items, and wine corks.
Economic importance
Low, except when they attack high-value materials/items. Their presence is an indicator of bad hygiene.