White-shouldered house moth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White-shouldered house moth |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Adults | |
 |
|
| Mounted male | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: |
Oecophoridae
|
| Genus: |
Endrosis
Hübner, 1825
|
| Species: |
E. sarcitrella
|
| Binomial name | |
| Endrosis sarcitrella (Linnaeus, 1758)
|
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Numerous, see text |
|
The white-shouldered house moth (Endrosis sarcitrella) is a type of moth. It belongs to the concealer moth family, just like the brown house moth. Even though many similar moths were once thought to be different species, scientists now believe that Endrosis sarcitrella is the only species in its group.
This moth is very common and can be found almost everywhere in the world. This is because it likes to live near humans. You can often find it inside buildings. Since it keeps having babies all year round, you can see these moths at any time. They are often attracted to lights. You might also find them in sheds or barns where dry food like grain is stored. They also like to live in bird nests.
The baby moth, called a larva, looks like a small caterpillar. It lives on dry plant and animal bits, where it builds a small silk home. These larvae eat many different things. They enjoy dried fruits, cereals (like bran and flour), and other seeds. They also eat potatoes, rotting wood, and even dead insects. Sometimes, they munch on wool, old textiles, and guano (bird or bat droppings).
About the White-Shouldered House Moth
The white-shouldered house moth is a very successful traveler! It has spread all over the world by tagging along with humans. This means that moths from different parts of the world, like Europe and New Zealand, are actually the same species. Scientists believe there is only one global type of this moth.
Images for kids
-
An adult white-shouldered house moth in New Zealand. Moths from New Zealand were once thought to be a different species, but they look just like those from Europe.
