Webbing clothes moth,Tineola bisselliella (Hum.), causing serious feeding damage toLactuca sativa and other plant seeds

The first record of a “field” infestation of stored lettuce seeds (Lactuca sativa) byTineola bisselliella (TB) is reported. The pest is able to consume almost the whole kernel ofL. sativa including the shell. The ability od TB to damage selected stored cereal, pulse and oil seeds under laboratory condition was evaluated. In maize and wheat, germ area was damaged preferably and the germination decreased considerably. TB was unable to infest and damage sound seeds of rape and beans ofPhaseolus vulgaris and soya. These findings enabled the development of a vegetarian diet for laboratory rearing of TB. The pest status and hazards resulting from cross-infestation is discassed.