Buzz
England's National Heritage Collection encompasses over 400 historic sites, some of which trace back thousands of years. According to the BBC, a small but destructive winged pest is endangering the fabric-based artifacts preserved by English Heritage.
Since 1997, English Heritage has monitored clothes moth populations, which have doubled in recent years, with warmer temperatures believed to be a contributing factor. A newly identified species, the pale-backed clothes moth, has joined the ranks of fabric-destroying pests threatening the collections. Amber Xavier-Rowe, English Heritage's head of collections conservation, described clothes moths as “a conservator's worst nightmare,” noting their ability to devour centuries-old carpets, tapestries, and garments within months.
The pests have also targeted furs, upholstery, and taxidermied specimens. Newly hatched larvae exacerbate the problem, damaging fabrics with their silk webbing and feeding habits.
The moth infestation has affected various parts of England. In 2015, the Natural History Museum in London devised a strategy to disrupt the pest's reproduction by exploiting its biology. Female moth pheromone tablets were placed throughout the building to attract males. Moths caught in the trap emitted a female scent, confusing other males and reducing mating opportunities. This approach led to a 50 percent decline in moth populations.
English Heritage conservators are evaluating solutions, including moth pheromones, to address the issue. From April to August, visitors can collect free clothes moth traps from National Heritage Collection sites and submit their observations online. The collected data will help conservation scientists analyze moth behavior and determine the most effective measures to combat the problem.
