Brown House Moth
Common NameBrown House Moth
Scientific NameHofmannophila pseudospretella
FamilyOecophoridae
SubfamilyOecophorinae
Wingspan (mm)20
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, dark brown, black, tan
HabitatIndoors (houses, warehouses, pantries), sheltered outdoor areas, woodlands, gardens
Geographic RangeCosmopolitan (nearly worldwide)
Host Plantsstored grains, dried fruit, textiles (wool, leather), dried plant matter, fungi, cork, paper, animal products
Flight PeriodYear-round (indoors), May to October (outdoors)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are highly polyphagous, feeding on a wide variety of organic materials, including stored food products, textiles, and dried plant matter, before pupating.
Identification TipsKey features include the mottled brown forewings with scattered dark spots, a pale longitudinal streak (sometimes faint) when at rest, and its common occurrence in human dwellings.
Description
A small, mottled brown moth with scattered dark spots on its forewings and a distinctive pale, often indistinct, longitudinal streak down the center of its back when at rest.
