Which materials are fed on by clothes moth larvae, as described?

• A. Cotton Fabric
• B. Silk
• C. Wool
• D. Fur, Wool, Carpets, Rugs, Upholstered Furniture, and Animal Bristles in Brushes

Answer: (D)

Clothes moth larvae are attracted to keratin-containing animal fibers, not plant fibers. This makes wool and fur primary foods, and items made from those materials—carpets and rugs with wool content, upholstered furniture, and even animal bristles in brushes—potentially vulnerable. Cotton and other plant-based fabrics aren’t eaten for lack of keratin, and silk, while a protein fiber, is not as consistently attacked as wool and fur. The most complete description of what these larvae feed on is the list that includes fur, wool, carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, and animal bristles in brushes.