Which two pests are commonly involved in damage to fabric and feathers?

• A. Clothes moth and carpet beetle
• B. Indian meal moth and tapestry moth
• C. Tapestry moth and clothes moth
• D. Indian meal moth and carpet beetle

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that fabric-destroying pests are typically the larvae that feed on natural fibers, especially those containing keratin like wool, silk, fur, and feathers. The best answer identifies the two pests most notorious for this kind of damage: clothes moths and carpet beetles. Clothes moth larvae bore into wool, silk, fur, and feathers, leaving faint tunnels and holes in the fabric. Carpet beetle larvae also feed on animal-derived fibers and can cause irregular holes in textiles and carpets, as well as damage to stored clothing and bedding. Adults may not look threatening, but these larvae are the culprits behind the fabric damage.

Pantry-oriented pests, such as Indian meal moths, primarily attack stored food products and are not the typical fabric destroyers, which is why they aren’t the best pairing for fabric and feathers. The tapestry moth is less commonly implicated in home fabric damage compared with clothes moths and carpet beetles.