About Tinea pallescentella Stainton, 1851
Tinea pallescentella, commonly known as the large pale clothes moth, is a moth species that belongs to the family Tineidae. It occurs across most of Europe, with the exception of the Iberian Peninsula and most of the Balkan Peninsula. This species is also found in western North America, where it has been recorded from California, with additional confirmed records from South America (including Argentina) and Australia. The wingspan of this moth ranges from 12 to 15 millimetres (0.47–0.59 in). The head is light greyish ochreous, mixed with fuscous coloring. Forewings are light greyish-ochreous mixed with fuscous; the base of the costa and a short basal subdorsal dash are dark fuscous; the stigmata are dark fuscous and elongated, with the plical stigma forming a more or less extended dash along the wing fold. There are two indistinct whitish dots beyond the second discal stigma, and some cloudy dark fuscous terminal spots on the forewings. Hindwings are a very pale grey. Adult large pale clothes moths can be seen on wing throughout the entire year. The larvae feed on keratinous animal matter, including hair, wool, fur, and feathers.
