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What do moths eat?

What do moths eat?

Insects which have adapted to use fibre protein as a main food source are few in number; the Common Clothes Moth, Case-Bearing Carpet Moth and Tapestry Moth are amongst this small number. These insects will eat individual fibres as a child would eat a stick of rock at the seaside, eating from one end to the other. Although there are other insects which can damage fabrics by chewing or shredding, as they lack the ability to digest keratin they are not considered fabric pests like the Clothes, Carpet and Tapestry Moths.

 

What is Keratin?

Keratins are a family of fibrous structural proteins and amongst the most important and versatile proteins in the natural world. Keratins protect the epithelial cells from damage and stress and are the key structural component to nails and hair. Keratins are concentrated in areas built for protection, toughness and strength such as hair, skin and nails. As such, keratin is the chief component of wool, skin, leather, feathers, Horn and hair providing warm blooded mammals with tough outer coverings. The mid-gut enzymes in keratin feeding moths are unique from other phytophagous moths which feed on material of plant origin, the reason for this is the mid-guts ability to deal with the significant amounts of sulphur found in keratin. To supplement the protein in their diet moths will also seek the salts and oils of urine, sweat and grease deposits.

 

What contains Keratin?

Keratin can be found in anything containing natural fibres taken from warm blooded animals, including wool, cashmere, leather, animal furs and some silks.