Case-bearing Clothes Moth Larva (or Plaster Bagworm)
Scientific Name: Tinea pellionella (or Phereoeca uterella for Plaster Bagworm)
Order & Family: Order: Lepidoptera, Family: Tineidae
Size: Larval case is typically about 0.25 to 0.5 inches (6-12 mm) in length.
Natural Habitat
Typically found indoors in dark, undisturbed areas such as closets, carpet edges, under furniture, or on fabrics. They thrive in environments containing natural fibers like wool, fur, or hair.
Diet & Feeding
The larvae feed on keratin-rich natural fibers, including wool clothing, carpets, furs, feathers, lint, hair, and sometimes dead insects.
Behavior Patterns
The larva constructs a portable, silken case around its body, often incorporating grains of sand, fiber, or debris from its environment for camouflage. It drags this case along as it moves and will retreat inside when threatened.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: They are considered household pests because the larvae can cause significant damage to expensive clothing, rugs, upholstery, and natural fabrics by eating holes in them. Benefits: None in a household context, though in nature they play a minor role in breaking down detritus.
Identified on: 3/7/2026