
Community identification
Case-bearing clothes moth larva (likely)
Tinea pellionella
- Order & Family
- Lepidoptera; Tineidae
- Size
- Larva: about 6–10 mm long, including its portable case; adult moths are about 5–8 mm long.
Natural Habitat
Dark, undisturbed indoor areas such as closets, carpets, upholstery, and wall-floor edges.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae eat keratin-containing materials, including wool, fur, feathers, hair, and lint; adults generally do not feed.
Behavior Patterns
The larva constructs and carries a fibrous case made from silk and debris, leaving it to pupate. It avoids light and may remain hidden for months in fabrics or floor dust.
Risks & Benefits
It can damage natural-fiber clothing, carpets, and upholstery but does not bite people or transmit disease. Identification is tentative because the image is blurry and could show debris or another small larva.