
Community identification
Household Casebearer (Plaster Bagworm)
Phereoeca uterella
- Order & Family
- Lepidoptera: Tineidae
- Size
- 8 mm to 13 mm (larval case length)
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, particularly on walls, floors, and under furniture where dust and pet hair accumulate.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae feed on spider webs, wool, human hair, dust, and discarded insect carcasses.
Behavior Patterns
The larva builds a flattened, spindle-shaped silken case covered in sand or dust grains. It can move by poking its head out from either end of the case to crawl.
Risks & Benefits
They are nuisance pests that can damage natural fibers like silk and wool, but they are generally harmless to humans and pets.