Moths go through a four-stage life cycle. The length of each stage varies by species, but the steps are the same. Eggs hatch into larvae, which look like tiny caterpillars. Larvae eat a lot while they’re developing, and clothes moths, in particular, can do a lot of damage during the larval stage. After molting 5 to 45 times, the larvae create a cocoon or hide in a case they carry with them throughout the larval stage and enter the pupae stage. Warm temperatures accelerate this step in the life cycle. Moths emerge as adults ready to mate. Females tend to lay eggs on or in a food source.