Cloth Moth Larva (Case-bearing clothes moth)
Scientific Name: Tinea pellionella
Order & Family: Lepidoptera: Tineidae
Size: Larvae typically range from 2mm to 10mm in length.
Natural Habitat
Found indoors globally, particularly in dark, quiet areas like closets, drawers, and behind furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Keratin-containing natural fibers including wool, fur, feathers, hair, and silk, as well as dead insects.
Behavior Patterns
The larva constructs a portable silken case incorporating debris and fiber, which it carries while feeding. It remains inside this case for protection and pupation.
Risks & Benefits
Pest that causes significant damage to clothing, upholstery, and carpets. They pose no direct health risk to humans but can be economically destructive.
Identified on: 1/3/2026