a mote.-any nocturnal lepidopterous insect, or any not included among the butterflies; as, the luna moth; io moth; hawk moth.-any lepidopterous insect that feeds upon garments, grain, etc.; as, the clothes moth; grain moth; bee moth. see these terms under clothes, grain, etc.-any one of various other insects that destroy woolen and fur goods, etc., esp. the larvae of several species of beetles of the genera dermestes and anthrenus. carpet moths are often the larvae of anthrenus. see carpet beetle, under carpet, dermestes, anthrenus.-anything which gradually and silently eats, consumes, or wastes any other thing.