Which two pests feed on upholstery and feathers?

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

Answer: (C)

Pests that damage upholstery and feathers are drawn to animal-based fibers like wool, feathers, fur, and silk. The two most typical culprits for this kind of damage are clothes moths and carpet beetles.

Clothes moth larvae tunnel into fabrics made from animal fibers, including wool, silk, fur, and yes, feathers. They’re notorious for weakening and hollowing out textiles as the larvae feed, while the adults do not cause damage themselves.

Carpet beetle larvae also target animal-derived materials. They crawl through upholstered furniture, carpets, and other fabrics containing wool, feathers, or fur, feeding on keratin-rich fibers and leaving irregular holes.

The other options involve pests that either don’t primarily attack textiles or are less associated with feathers and upholstery. The pantry moth focuses on stored foods, while tapestry moths, though textile-adapted, are not the pair most commonly highlighted for upholstery and feather damage.