Why Do Moths Eat Clothes?
It’s actually not the moths that eat clothes, but their larvae. Most clothing (and other household things moth larvae eat) contain animal or plant material, such as wool or cotton. The larvae, just like any other caterpillar, need to eat a lot in order to grow rapidly and pupate to become a mature adult. Our clothes just happen to be their source of nourishment. It should be noted that the particular types of moths whose larvae feed on clothes also lay their eggs on other plants. They do not require clothing, it’s just a convenience for some individuals. A moth larvae left to its own devices would consume a relative small amount of fibers until it pupated. It would take a huge swarm a long time to consume an entire garment. One moth larva would never do it alone.
