Webbing clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella (Hum.), causing serious feedingdamage to Lactuca sativa and other plant seeds

The first record of a "field" infestation of stored lettuce seeds (Lactuca sativa) by Tineola bisselliella (TB) is reported. The pest is able to consu me almost the whole kernel of L. 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 preferab ly and the germination decreased considerably. TB was unable to infest and damage sound seeds of rape and beans of Phaseolus vulgaris and soya. These findings enabled the development of a vegetarian diet for laboratory rearin g of TB. The pest status and hazards resulting from cross-infestation is di scussed.