Bug Identifier
Case-bearing Clothes Moth Larva
Community identification

Case-bearing Clothes Moth Larva

Tinea pellionella

Order & Family
Order: Lepidoptera, Family: Tineidae
Size
Larvae/case typically 5-10 mm long
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Typically found indoors in dark, quiet areas like closets, underneath furniture, in carpets, or near stored fabrics like wool or fur.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on keratin-rich animal fibers such as wool, fur, silk, feathers, felt, and sometimes pet hair.

Behavior Patterns

The larva constructs a portable, silken case around its body, incorporating fibers and debris from its environment for camouflage. It drags this case along as it moves and feeds, eventually pupating inside it.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: They are household pests that can cause significant damage to clothing, carpets, tapestries, and taxidermy. Benefits: None in a household context, though they play a minor role in decomposition of animal matter in the wild.