Small gray/brown moths - Ask Extension
Hi! I'm finding small moths in my house. They are a bit smaller than half inch. I've only found three but not any obvious place where they came from. ...
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Small gray/brown moths #298654
Asked January 28, 2016, 11:01 PM EST
Hi! I'm finding small moths in my house. They are a bit smaller than half inch. I've only found three but not any obvious place where they came from. Also I couldn't find any similar images in my internet searches. Could you please help me identify them and let me know if I need to be concerned? Thanks! ~steph
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
The insect in the photo is a snout nose moth (Idia americalis). The larvae feed on lichens, dry leaves and perhaps other detritus. Adults fly until October. It's possible the larvae or pupa found their way into the house on firewood, dead leaves or similar materials brought indoors. Indoor warmth might then have caused the adult moths to emerge prematurely. There's no need to be concerned.
Learn more here:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/16249
Learn more here:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/16249
