I mean seriously no cotton, no leather, just wool .. and why does moth balls and cedar keep them away?
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It is a specific species, Tineola bisselliella. This particular moth has an ability to digest keratin, although it can feed on other foods. Since feathers, fur, wool and silk are made of keratin these substances are eaten.
Keep in mind that the moth can’t eat anything. It doesn’t feed at all and lives only to reproduce. The worm like larvae are the ones that feed. So, moth detects keratin. Flies in and lays eggs. Eggs hatch and larva emerge. Larva eat keratin, making holes in your woolen sweaters and carpet. Larva then pupate into moths. When you shake out your now holey sweater the moths emerge to seek makes and new sources of keratin to lay eggs on.
Before humans the moths probably sought out shed fur, like areas where ungulates lose their winter fur in clumps.
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