Synthetic Fabrics and Fabric Pests²

Larvae of the black carpet beetle, Attageruis unicolor (Brahm), the furniture carpet beetle, Anthrenus flavipes LeConte, and the webbing clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella (Hummel), were exposed to synthetic fabrics contaminated with various stains. Both carpet beetles and the webbing clothes moths damaged synthetic fabrics when stained with such contaminants as alkaline perspiration, catsup, chicken bouillon or 5% sugar solution. Black carpet beetle larvae and webbing clothes moth larvae were more attracted to the contaminated fabrics and caused more damage than furniture carpet beetle larvae.