Bug Identifier
Household casebearer
Community identification

Household casebearer

Phereoeca uterella

Order & Family
Lepidoptera, Tineidae
Size
Larvae cases measure about 10 to 14 millimeters in length.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found indoors on walls, ceilings, and in dark, undisturbed areas like closets.

Diet & Feeding

Feeds on spider webs, dust, hair, feathers, and occasionally wool or cotton fabrics.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae construct a portable, flattened silken case incorporating debris and drag it everywhere. Adult females are wingless and remain in the case, while males are tiny, weak-flying moths.

Risks & Benefits

They cause minor cosmetic damage to walls and can chew holes in natural fiber fabrics. However, they are not venomous, do not bite, and pose no direct health risks to humans.