
Community identification
Case-bearing Clothes Moth (Larva case)
Tinea pellionella
- Order & Family
- Lepidoptera: Tineidae
- Size
- 8 to 12 mm
Natural Habitat
Dark, undisturbed indoor locations such as closets, wardrobes, and carpets.
Diet & Feeding
Keratin-rich animal fibers including wool, silk, fur, feathers, and hair.
Behavior Patterns
The larva constructs and lives inside a portable silken case covered with debris and fibers. It drags this case while feeding and eventually pupates inside it.
Risks & Benefits
A significant textile pest that causes damage to clothing and upholstery; they provide no direct benefit to human environments.