Tineola Bisselliella Research Articles

Tinea altaica sp. nov. and new records of some small moths from the Russian Altai (Lepidoptera: Meessiidae, Tineidae, Douglasiidae, Epermeniidae, Glyphipterigidae: Acrolepiinae)

Abstract The paper summarizes the results of our study of selected Microlepidoptera families (Meessiidae, Tineidae, Douglasiidae, Epermeniidae, Glyphipterigidae: Acrolepiinae) collected in the Russian Altai. Tinea altaica sp. nov. is described from the vicinity of Tashanta on the Russian-Mongolian border and from Mongolia. The new species distantly resembles Tinea semifulvella Haworth, 1828 and T. semifulvelloides Petersen, 1973. The up to now unknown females of Klimeschia biarmatella Budashkin, 2003 and Monopis luteocostalis Gaedike, 2006 are described. Scardia boletella (Fabricius, 1794), Crassicornella crassicornella (Zeller, 1847), Trichophaga ziniella Zagulajev, 1960, Tineola bisselliella (Hummel, 1823), Monopis laevigella (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775), M. pallidella Zagulajev, 1955, Epermenia ochreomaculella asiatica Gaedike, 1979, and Acrolepiopsis sapporensis (Matsumura, 1931) are recorded from the Altai Republic for the first time. Tinea hongorella Zagulajev, 1975 and Klimeschia biarmatella Budashkin, 2003, so far known only from the holotypes, are new species for Russia. Tinea hongorella is also a new species for Europe.

Insect pests and Integrated Pest Management in the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo, Italy

The Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo contain over 1800 bodies dating from the 16th-20th centuries. Human remains and other materials within the catacombs are currently infested by a variety of insect pest species. To evaluate the community of organisms associated with these materials, the activity and abundance of insect pests were investigated. Sticky blunder traps and pheromone traps for webbing clothes moths were employed. An array of arthropods was collected in this way, including several orders of insects. The most important pest species recovered were two types of wood-boring beetles (Order Coleoptera), Anobium punctatum De Geer, 1774 and Hexarthrum exiguum (Boheman, 1838) belonging to two different taxonomic families. Both species require high wood moisture to develop, demonstrating that the environmental conditions within the catacombs were optimal for the development of these beetles. Additionally, two types of moths (Order Lepidoptera), the webbing clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella (Hummel, 1823), and the case-bearing clothes moth, Tinea pellionella (Linnaeus, 1758), were recovered. Both moths are important pests of textiles. The detection of oriental cockroaches (Order Blattodea), Blatta orientalis Linnaeus, 1758, indicated that the cleaning and sealing of the catacombs needs to be improved.

Protecting wool carpets from beetle and moth larvae with nanocidal titanium dioxide desiccant

Nanopesticides are an emerging type of engineered nanomaterial that has been shown to enhance several physical, photo-physical and antimicrobial properties of wool textiles. Nanoparticles have an advantage over the more widely used continuous coatings for wool textiles, as they are less likely to adversely affect haptic properties, due to less pinning of cuticle scales and less inter-fibre bonding. Hence, the nanocidal activities of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2) towards two insect pests of textiles made from wool and other proteinaceous fibres were investigated, namely Anthrenocerus australis and Tineola bisselliella. The nanoparticles were applied to wool carpet at levels between 0.01 and 1.5% by mass, and the carpets assessed by bioassay. The TiO2 exhibited statistically significant (p < 0.05) control of larvae of both species. A. australis was the more readily controlled species and a “borderline” effectiveness against it, was achieved according to internationally recognised criteria. The lowest mass losses of the treated wool carpets (as a proportion of the mass losses of the untreated voracity controls) were 38% for A. australis (1.5% TiO2) and 57% for T. bisselliella (0.5% TiO2). It was shown to be more difficult to reduce the feeding of T. bisselliella on carpet, than on fabric. This investigation widens understanding of the action of entomotoxic nanocides on textiles to a new species (A. australis) and a new product (carpet) and advances this technology closer to the high level of effectiveness desired by consumers and wool processors.

Linking webbing clothes moths to infested objects or other food sources in museums

The webbing clothes moth Tineola bisselliella (Hummel, 1823) is one of the most common museum pests and can be found all over the world. The larvae damages objects made of feather, wool, fur, and other keratinaceous materials. Pheromone traps are important tools in integrated pest management, which allow the detection of infestations and evaluation of their extent. Organic-rich dust (detritus) or other materials of animal origin, such as dead birds, can be an alternative food source for the moths. This paper analyzes monitoring data collected with pheromone traps from six different museums in Vienna and Berlin and tries to differentiate between moths resulting from infested objects or moths coming from other food sources, such as organic-rich dust. Annual totals of moths trapped and catch rate (moths per trap) are important guides for selecting appropriate remedial measures. Long-term data (over six years) enabled us to interpret monitoring results and differentiate between active infestation of objects and cleaning or housekeeping problems. However, detailed knowledge of the site and buildings, availability of high-quality food for the larvae, and lack of regular cleaning are also important factors to consider when interpreting the data.

The nanocidal and antifeedant activities of titanium dioxide desiccant toward wool-digesting Tineola bisselliella moth larvae

The nanocidal and antifeedant activities of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2) against the widespread pest of wool carpets, apparel, building insulation, and other wool textiles, Tineola bisselliella (common clothes moth), were investigated using an industry-recognized bioassay test, and a feeding preference test. Wool fabric was pre-treated with citric acid/sodium hypophosphite, TiO2 applied, and then loosely bound TiO2 was removed by ultrasound. A statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase in larval mortality was found using 1.7 % on mass of wool (omw) TiO2, whereas levels as low as 0.1 % omw significantly reduced feeding. TiO2 did not show any repellence in the feeding preference test. The TiO2 was considerably less effective than the commercial insect-resist agent Lanacare FPL (Shamrock Group Ltd) was. This study extends understanding of entomotoxic nanocides on textiles to a new insect species and to new test methods, and further illustrates their potential for protecting wool textiles from keratinophagous insects.

Insect Pests and Integrated Pest Management in Museums, Libraries and Historic Buildings.

Insect pests are responsible for substantial damage to museum objects, historic books and in buildings like palaces or historic houses. Different wood boring beetles (Anobium punctatum, Hylotrupes bajulus, Lyctus sp. or introduced species), the biscuit beetle (Stegobium paniceum), the cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne), different Dermestides (Attagenus sp., Anthrenus sp., Dermestes sp., Trogoderma sp.), moths like the webbing clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella), Silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) and booklice (Psocoptera) can damage materials, objects or building parts. They are the most common pests found in collections in central Europe, but most of them are distributed all over the world. In tropical countries, termites, cockroaches and other insect pests are also found and result in even higher damage of wood and paper or are a commune annoyance in buildings. In this short review, an introduction to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in museums is given, the most valuable collections, preventive measures, monitoring in museums, staff responsible for the IPM and chemical free treatment methods are described. In the second part of the paper, the most important insect pests occurring in museums, archives, libraries and historic buildings in central Europe are discussed with a description of the materials and object types that are mostly infested and damaged. Some information on their phenology and biology are highlighted as they can be used in the IPM concept against them.

Webbing clothes moth catch and the management of heritage environments

Webbing clothes moths damage our tangible heritage and, in historic properties and museums, are increasingly monitored using pheromone traps. Following >5000 trapping periods in museums in Austria and Germany and historic properties in the UK, catch rates showed big changes over time, resulting from infestations and pest control activities. The number of moths caught in traps is highly skewed and, with respect to Poisson and Hermite distributions, over-dispersed. Principal components analysis reveals two distinct types of catch: a low catch and another showing much dispersion at high catch. Lorenz curves and the associated Gini coefficients were useful but, in their representation of the data, there is a loss of scale. The Gini coefficient is higher when a location is infested. Scaled cumulative plots revealed changes in infestations over time and location. The exploratory statistics and principal component analysis suggested four levels of moth presence in museums: (i) no moths, (ii) low catch, (iii) high catch and (iv) infestation. This categorisation offers a guide to interpreting insect catch and could aid the choice of management approaches to minimising this biological degradation of heritage collections/materials.

Trends in insect catch at historic properties

Abstract Warmer climate has the potential to increase the number of insect pests in historic properties. This possibility has been explored using the catch from some thirty thousand insect traps laid out in English Heritage properties over more than a decade. The trapping programme resulted from an increasing focus on integrated pest management (IPM). Trapping has been more frequent in London and the Southeast. Quarterly inspection and replacement has led to a detailed record of catch. Although these data were collected for management purposes, they offer the potential to assess the impact of environmental change. Variation in the number of traps placed out requires data to be expressed as catch rate (insects caught per trap). The record suggests an increase in the average catch of booklice ( Liposcelis bostrychophila ) summed across all the properties examined over the period 2000–2012. There was a striking increase in the prevalence of the webbing clothes moth ( Tinea pellionella ) even when accounting for the increasing use of attractant pheromones in traps. In addition, infestations (i.e. > 10 insects per trap) also seemed to increase. However, these increases over time are not likely to be attributable to increasing temperatures. Nevertheless, the catch rate for woolly bear larvae ( Anthrenus spp.) at the London properties showed a weak correlation with temperature in the warmer seasons. If temperature were to increase across the 21st century, a dramatic increase in catch rate would be expected. However, it is hardly likely as the abundance of insects is not driven by temperature alone. Other factors such as: food, habitat, access points, housekeeping and indoor climate can all have an impact on insect numbers and on infestations within a property.

The efficacy of antifungal azole and antiprotozoal compounds in protection of wool from keratin-digesting insect larvae

The seven azole compounds, econazole nitrate, sulconazole nitrate, miconazole nitrate, thiabendazole, epoxiconazole, propiconazole, and tebuconazole, were applied to wool fabrics at 3.0% on mass of wool and the protection from wool-digesting Tineola bisselliella (common clothes moth) larvae was assessed in bioassays. Econazole nitrate gave the greatest protection according to Wools of New Zealand Test Method 25, easily passing the bioassay. Other good results with sulconazole and epoxiconazole led to further bioassays being performed with Australian carpet beetle larvae Anthrenocerus australis. Propiconazole provided the most effective protection of wool from this species, with a concentration of approximately 0.4% on mass of wool predicted to give adequate insect resistance. A combination of propiconazole and isoniazid was trialed against Anthrenocerus australis, without any synergistic effect. The antiprotozoal compound pentamidine isethionate had no measurable effect on Anthrenocerus australis larvae, but provided a moderate anti-feeding effect on Tineola bisselliella. Antimicrobial compounds could affect the digestive process of wool-digesting insects either directly or by their effects on any gut flora and/or fauna. Azoles are antifungal compounds, and are likely to disrupt the insect utilisation of cholesterol by inhibiting the cytochrome P450 enzymes. Propiconazole was trialed as a dyebath-applied insect-proofing agent on piece-dyed carpet, showing inefficient uptake onto wool, but good fastness to carpet shampooing and light exposure.

Statistics of insect catch within historic properties

IntroductionCertain species of insect are known to cause damage to historic collections. For more than a decade insects have been identified in traps set out in English Heritage properties, the data from which has been used in this paper. Descriptive statistics have been used to explore the data structure and insect distribution.ResultsAbout 55% of the traps of the more than 30000 traps examined over that period contained insects that were readily categorised. The rate of catch (insects/trap) was highest in London and the Southeast. Booklice (Liposcelis bostrychophila) and silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) were the most frequent catch. Woolly bear (Anthrenus spp.) larvae and crustacean woodlice (Porcellio spinicornis) were also common. A higher frequency of furniture beetles (Anobium punctatum) is notable in the Southeast and West. Despite this overall pattern, catch varied greatly between individual properties. The general view that insects have increased over time was not universal, although the dominant booklouse showed an increased catch over the last decade. The insects did not appear to be randomly distributed, but clustered onto traps in greater numbers than might be expected from a Poisson distribution, which suggested they occurred as infestations. Some insect species appeared in combination with other species at a higher frequency than expected, but the reasons for these associations were not always obvious. Pheromone traps collected more webbing and case bearing clothes moths (Tineola bisselliella, Tinea pellionella) than traps without attractants, much as expected. There are hints that covered traps may collect fewer insects than simple blunder traps.ConclusionsNo obvious drivers of high insect count were identified. Trends over time were not especially clear. The results provide clues to management of insect pests in historic properties. The presence and trapping of insects at a given property is individual in nature, and so mitigation strategies need to be site-specific. Although an insect might occur in low numbers in some periods, the possibility of infestation remains. Future work will examine the trends in catch more carefully and ascertain the importance of various environmental factors.

Insect pest management programmes and results from their application in two large museum collections in Berlin and Vienna

Since the 1980s the concept of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has been applied in museums, historic houses and archives to reduce the application of pesticides and damage to historic objects. Insect pests such as the webbing clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella), drugstore beetle (Stegobium paniceum), different Attagenus and Anthrenus species or the common furniture beetle (Anobium punctatum) have been known as museum pests for a long time, having caused major damage to the collections of natural or cultural history. The monitoring (regular inspection) with sticky blunder and pheromone traps plays a major role in IPM to detect an infestation and to locate damaged objects. The results of a monitoring in 2010 in ten museums in Berlin of the Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz and the Museum of Ethnology, Vienna, the Austrian Theatre Museum and six collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Vienna, are presented. The most common pests found in both cities were webbing clothes moths (T. bisselliella), the drugstore beetle (S. paniceum), the varied carpet beetle (Anthrenus (Nathrenus) verbasci) and silverfish (Lepisma saccharina). The khapra beetle (Trogoderma angustum) and the brown carpet beetle (Attagenus smirnovi), both common pests in homes and museums in Berlin, were not yet found in Vienna. A. smirnovi may be replaced in Vienna by the ecologically similar species, the black carpet beetle (Attagenus unicolor). Four wood destroying pests were found in the study, Nicobium castaneum in Berlin and the common furniture beetle (A. punctatum), Hexarthrum exiguum and the powderpost beetle (Lyctus brunneus) in Vienna. The distribution of these species, other insect pests and the success of the IPM programs are discussed.

Comparison in vitro and in vivo efficiencies of three attractant products against webbing clothes moth Tineola bisselliella (Hummel) (Lepidoptera: Tineidae)

Moth pests belonging to the Tineidae attack clothing and other animal products, during the processing or manufacturing stage as well as in storage. The insects cause considerable loss or damage to the commodity in terms of quantity, quality and market value. Insect control measures in these products differ depending on the conditions of storage or processing and the relevant cost factor. Fumigation products play an important role in insect pest elimination for the majority of stored animal products. The need of detailed studies on alternatives methods involving the exploitation of insect traps for pest management has been highlighted. In the past years test systems for the evaluation of attractant products have been developed and further refined in our laboratory. In this study, a standardized test system for the evaluation in vitro of commercial traps for Tineola bisselliella, the webbing clothes moth (WCM), was validated. Three sticky traps baited with female-produced sex pheromone were tested in the laboratory and in vivo at the “Mobilier National”, a repository of valuable artefacts. In both types of experiment the number of individuals captured was closely linked with the kinetic release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the sticky traps. The test system allowed clear discrimination of the products according their efficiency in a reliable manner but none of the traps tested were effective enough to reduce the damage potential of the pest.In the light of these results, the characteristics needed for an effective trap in warehouse conditions is discussed.

Reproductive behavior of the webbing clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella): Polyandry and multiple mating with the same male

The mating behavior was studied in two laboratory populations of the webbing clothes moth. Polyandry was found in both populations, the females mating up to 11 times. However, the degree of polyandry as well as multiple mating with the same male was significantly different in the two populations. The causes of these differences and mechanisms preventing multiple mating and ensuring polyandry in populations with different male sex potentials are discussed.

Using parasitoid wasps in Integrated Pest Management in museums against biscuit beetle (Stegobium paniceum) and webbing clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella)

Biscuit beetle (&lt;em&gt;Stegobium paniceum&lt;/em&gt;) and webbing clothes moth (&lt;em&gt;Tineola bisselliella&lt;/em&gt;) cause much damage to museum objects. Some objects and materials are very attractive to these two pest species and objects are often re-infested after treatment. For some years parasitoid wasps have been used in biological pest control to treat and reduce infestations of stored product pests in food processing facilities. Their application in museums is still new and in a research stage. Results from five different museums in Germany and Austria and their application are presented. &lt;em&gt;Lariophagus distinguendus&lt;/em&gt; wasps were released against &lt;em&gt;Stegobium paniceum&lt;/em&gt; in the municipal library Augsburger Stadtarchiv (Germany), the Ethnological Museum in Berlin (Germany) and the Picture Gallery in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna (Austria). &lt;em&gt;Trichogramma evanescens &lt;/em&gt;were released against &lt;em&gt;Tineola bisselliella &lt;/em&gt;in the Technisches Museum in Vienna (Austria) and in the Deutsches Museum Verkehrszentrum in Munich (Germany). Results show that for active biscuit beetle infestations good results can be expected using the &lt;em&gt;Lariophagus distinguendus &lt;/em&gt;in museums. Active clothes moth infestations are harder to treat but with a very regular and long-term exposure to the wasps, the clothes moth population can be reduced over the years. We see the application of parasitoid wasps as part of an Integrated Pest Management concept that should be used besides regular insect monitoring and other preventive measures. Difficulties, limitations and research needs in the application of parasitoid wasps in museums are discussed.

Ten years of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Wien

The Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien is one of the largest fine arts collections worldwide, comprising the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Austrian Theater Museum, the Museum of Ethnology, all placed in Vienna, and Schlo&amp;szlig; Ambras in Tirol. We present results from up to 10 years of insect pest monitoring in different collections and the implementation of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) concept. The Kunsthistorisches Museum was the first museum in Vienna to introduce such a concept. We also present specific insect pest problems such as a biscuit beetle (&lt;em&gt;Stegobium paniceum&lt;/em&gt;) infestation of paintings lined with starch paste backings (linings) or the webbing clothes moth (&lt;em&gt;Tineola bisselliella&lt;/em&gt;) infestation at the Museum of Carriages, both repeatedly occurring problems in the museum. With the help of the insect pest monitoring programs, these and other problems were found and the infested objects treated, usually with anoxia (nitrogen).

Outdoor trapping and genetical characterization of populations of the webbing clothes moth Tineola bisselliella (Lepidoptera: Tineidae) in the broader area of Berlin

Adapted and effective pest management strategies for the protection of irreplaceable culture heritage as well as for the prevention of damages in households and warehouses are based on reliable information about the presence and distribution of the pest organisms. Monitoring the webbing clothes moth &lt;em&gt;Tineola bisselliella &lt;/em&gt;at thirteen outdoor stations in the broader area of Berlin give a first idea of their occurrence in an urban area and the hinterlands. The results demonstrate a seasonal abundance in the city and a missing of this species in the countryside. Data suggest a synanthropic occurrence of the webbing clothes moth rather than an invasion from natural reservoires. Possible molecular examinations on the species and subspecies level are presented to analyze the gene flow between populations and give an impression of species mobility as well as pathways of infestation.

An attempt to reconstruct the natural and cultural history of the webbing clothes moth Tineola bisselliella Hummel (Lepidoptera: Tineidae)

It is generally accepted that the natural habitats of most pest insects can be found outside the synanthropic environment in layers of leaf litter, under bark, as well as in rodent or bird nests. Indeed, most of the common pests have been reported as being facultative nidicolous. Therefore infestation of commodities by pest insects out of these reservoirs is one considerable possibility. However, the likelihood of a pest&amp;acute;s occurrence and survival out-doors largely depends on its ecological potential and competitiveness against other species of the same ecological guild. Some pest species are rarely found in wild habitats, especially in those regions where they are not native and where they have been introduced by man. The fabric pest Tineola bisselliella serves as a good example. Most likely originating in Central or Southern Africa this insect was introduced into Europe probably not earlier than the late 18th century. Being more tolerant to dry environments than other fabric pests its economical importance increased during the 20th century when in-door climates changed because of central heating systems. Its occurrence in out-door natural habitats must be regarded as accidental. Reported founds of webbing clothes moth larvae in bird nests e.g. have been largely overstated in the literature. T. bisselliella should be regarded as an eusynanthropic species.

Biological control of cultural heritage pest Coleoptera and Lepidoptera with the help of parasitoid Hymenoptera

Natural enemies are known from many cultural heritage pests, but their potential for biological control has been marginally exploited only. In this publication, examples of practical and commercial application of parasitoids of beetles and moths are compiled as well as laboratory research that contributes to the development of guidelines for parasitoid releases. One the one hand there are parasitoids found to occur simultaneously with the pests in buildings, on the other hand there are parasitoids that were never found to be associated with the respective pests but accept them if brought into the cultural heritage environments. An example for the latter is the egg parasitoid &lt;em&gt;Trichogramma evanescens euproctidis&lt;/em&gt;, a parasitoid of moth eggs including those of the cloth moth &lt;em&gt;Tineola bisselliella&lt;/em&gt;. In semi-field trials it was shown that inundative releases of the egg parasitoids are necessary and that effectiveness is reduced on thick cloth with long strand. &lt;em&gt;Trichogramma &lt;/em&gt;release units have to be placed directly on the cloth to be protected. A naturally occuring parasitoid of Anobiid beetles is the pteromalid larval parasitoid &lt;em&gt;Lariophagus distinguendus&lt;/em&gt;. This parasitoid was applied against the drugstore beetle &lt;em&gt;Stegobium paniceum &lt;/em&gt;in historic libraries and against spider beetles (Ptininae) in historic buildings. A simulation model for the population-dynamics of &lt;em&gt;L. distinguendus &lt;/em&gt;and the golden spider beetle &lt;em&gt;Niptus hololeucus &lt;/em&gt;is presented. Finally, monitoring of the Braconid larval parasitoid &lt;em&gt;Spathius exarator &lt;/em&gt;used for indirect monitoring of the common furniture beetle &lt;em&gt;Anobium punctatum &lt;/em&gt;is described. The future potential of parasitoids to control cultural heritage pests is discussed.

Galactolipase, phospholipase and triacylglycerol lipase activities in the midgut of six species of lepidopteran larvae feeding on different lipid diets

Galactolipase, phospholipase and triacylglycerol lipase activities were measured from the midgut of six species of lepidopteran larvae, two folivores, Epiphyas postvittana (Tortricidae) and Helicoverpa armigera (Noctuidae); two granivores, Plodia interpunctella (Pyralidae) and Ephestia kuehniella (Pyrallidae); a presumptive carnivore, Galleria mellonella (Pyralidae); and a keratinophage, Tineola bisselliella (Tineidae). Galactolipase has not been previously reported in insects. Galactolipase and phospholipase activities were high in the folivores and triacylglycerol lipase activity was low, matching the high galactolipid content of leaves. Conversely, galactolipase and phospholipase activities were low, but not absent, and triacylglycerol lipase activity high in the four other non-folivorous species, matching the high acylglycerol content of their diets. These data suggest the utility of reclassification, for evolutionary studies, of phytophagous lepidoptera into two feeding classes; folivore and granivore, the latter having similarity to the fungivore line of feeders in terms of its lipase activities and ability to retrieve essential polyunsaturated long chain fatty acids from their diets. All the digestive lipases have alkaline pH optima for activity, matching the pH of the lepidopteran midgut and their amino acid content show modifications likely to stabilize the proteins in that environment.

Efficiency comparison of three attractant products against webbing clothes moth Tineola bisselliella (Hummel) (Lepidoptera: Tineidae) using an adapted four arms olfactometer

Efficiency comparison of three attractant products against webbing clothes moth Tineola bisselliella (Hummel) (Lepidoptera: Tineidae) using an adapted four arms olfactometer