Case-bearing clothes moth (larva)

Natural Habitat

Indoors in homes, museums, and storage facilities, specifically near animal-fiber materials (wool, silk, fur).

Diet & Feeding

Keratin-rich animal materials including wool, fur, feathers, hair, silk, and felt; occasionally feeds on dried biological specimens.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae build and live inside a portable silken case incorporating fibers from their food source. They carry this case as they crawl and feed, eventually pupating within it. Unlike many moths, they prefer dark areas and are rarely seen flying around lights.

Risks & Benefits

Considered a significant household pest; can cause extensive damage to clothing, upholstery, and carpets. They pose no direct health risk to humans but can be economically damaging to textiles and museum collections.

Identified on: 3/13/2026