Help Please ID this caterpillar - Eating my skirting boards!

[shaun4339]

Please help. I found a very small colony (100 plus) of these caterpillars living in white silk cocoons between carpet and concrete floor at the edge of my lounge. they appeared quickly. It's very close to the rising main water supply into my house - coincidence? The cocoons on investigation contain the caterpillars within which appear to be eating the skirting boards. The caterpillars are very mobile if disturbed. The cocoons are tubular, 'silk like' and very tough. They are formed in multiples side by side at various locations within a few feet of each other in gaps and crevices in one corner of my lounge. the ones pictured were between two house bricks used to hold up a shelf. The caterpillars are 'off white' colour (like fly maggots) but then seem to turn brown as they mature as per the pictures. The largest caterpillars are about 20 - 25mm long. We live in a very rural setting in converted farm buildings on Beds/Cambs border ( we've been here 15 years) with lots of open windows so my guess is a stray moth or beetle has landed and laid eggs. The caterpillars have the look of a mealworm and I have seen a few what look like 'ground beetles' around in the house but though nothing of it. The caterpillars look like, but don't have the exact colouring of any pictures of ground beetle caterpillars I can find. Can anyone please identify these for me and please tell me how to get rid of the caterpillars from inside the house to protect my woodwork! I noted when researching Ground Beetles that they have an association with the locality of battery chicken farms. We have such a farm locally over open fields about 2 miles away as the crow flies. The damage to the skirting boards is not 'boring' holes but a surface scraping, like a bull nose chisel has been drawn across the surface see picture. I would be very grateful for any identification and advice. Thanks in anticipation.

[Jason Claxton]

Hi Shaun

I reckon that you have some moth larvae and Pupae there,possibly Brown House Moth.I don't really know much about their control though.But with this pointer you should be able to find some more information on the net as well.

Cheers Jason.

[shaun4339]

Hi Jason - Many Thanks for your kind and prompt reply. So my assumption that these are Beetle caterpillars is incorrect and unconnected. I'll now research the moth as you suggest. Thanks so very much. Kind regards Shaun

[triops]

Hi Shaun,

I think your caterpillars are the Bee Moth, Aphomia sociella. They will have been feeding, probably, on an old wasps nest in the roof or wall, and have moved off to pupate somewhere safe. They will not be feeding on your woodwork, but do tend to scrape grooves, as you've seen. Just throw the caterpillars outside for the birds. There will be no reinfestation unless there is another wasp nest and you see them again next year. Have a look at this web picture.

http://image.historisches-fachwerk.c...7515162628.jpg

[shaun4339]

Hi Jason - Preliminary investigation suggests these are not Brown House Moth larvae. They are not attacking my wool carpets, but eating the wooden skirtings boards right next to the carpet. The catterpillars are larger than the House moth ones ( mine are 20 to 25mm long) not the 6-8mm described for the House moth.
I am on the Bedfordhire Cambridgeshire border in England. Any further thoughts?Kind regards Shaun

[shaun4339]

Thanks Triops - This looks like the one! It's possible they have come through the ajoining wall from next door as I know they had a wasps nest issue last year. I'll do as you say and keep picking them up and throwing them out and see what happens. I am so grateful for yours and Jasons prompt reply. Kind regards Shaun