What's in the seed pods is of no consequence. What is vulnerable is the protein-based material, such as the feathers, wool, and hair in the photos. Clothes moth larvae would not eat the interior of the seed pods, but they sure would have a feast on the protein-based materials. If possible, I would suggest freezing the mask for 72 hours at -20 degrees F. to insure any WCM infestation has been killed. Then store the item in a museum quality, clear polyethylene bag to prevent future infestation. Tom Parker -----Original Message----- From: jmcinnis <[email protected]> To: Museumpests <[email protected]> Sent: Fri, Aug 24, 2018 6:18 pm Subject: [pestlist] Any ideas what created these white nests/cocoons inside seed pods on tribal mask?
Hello Museum Pesters, Recently our attention was brought to a vitrine that had a live webbing clothes moth. We removed the moth, but on further inspection noticed that many of the seed pods that decorate the mask in the vitrine had these small white, webbed cocoons/nests up inside them, about 10-15mm in diameter. I am attaching some pictures (apologies on the lack of clarity). Are these nests? Do WCM nests look like that? Is this former activity of another insect? Everything looked pretty flat - which I'm hoping means they are old/empty. Any help is much appreciated. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Museumpests" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/8bb385b7-3b06-4e83-90e5-3a3a1a42efad%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Museumpests" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/1656e2fa07d-1ebb-fac2%40webjas-vad207.srv.aolmail.net. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
