Clothing Moth Larva or Carpet Beetle Larva (Highly speculative due to image quality)
Scientific Name: Tineidae (for clothing moths) or Dermestidae (for carpet beetles) - exact species indeterminable
Order & Family: Lepidoptera, Tineidae (for clothing moths) or Coleoptera, Dermestidae (for carpet beetles)
Size: Larvae typically 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm (0.2 to 0.6 inches) in length.
Natural Habitat
Indoors, typically in dark, undisturbed areas such as closets, attics, under furniture, or in storage containers, where natural fibers (wool, silk, fur, feathers) or dried animal products are present.
Diet & Feeding
Keratin-containing materials, such as wool, fur, silk, feathers, felt, animal bristles, and occasionally cotton or synthetic blends soiled with food or perspiration. They are often pests of stored clothing, carpets, upholstered furniture, and museum specimens.
Behavior Patterns
Larvae are the damaging stage, consuming natural fibers. They avoid light and hide in secluded areas. Clothing moth larvae may spin silken tunnels or cases as they feed, while carpet beetle larvae often shed bristly skins. Adults are typically short-lived and do not feed on fabrics but seek mates and lay eggs.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Significant pests of textiles, causing damage to clothing, carpets, and other household items made of natural fibers. They can lead to substantial financial loss due to irreparable damage. Benefits: None in a household context. In natural ecosystems, some species play a role in decomposition of animal remains, but the pest species are generally considered detrimental in human environments.
Identified on: 10/7/2025