
Community identification
Case-bearing Clothes Moth (larva)
Tinea pellionella
- Order & Family
- Order Lepidoptera, Family Tineidae
- Size
- Case length: 8-10 mm; Larva: up to 12 mm
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, particularly in closets, drawers, or under furniture where natural fibers are present.
Diet & Feeding
Keratin-based materials including wool, silk, hair, feathers, fur, and occasionally synthetic fibers blended with natural ones.
Behavior Patterns
The larva constructs a protective silken case covered in debris and fiber from its food source. It carries this case as it feeds and remains inside it to pupate.
Risks & Benefits
Potential for significant damage to clothing, upholstery, and carpets. They do not pose health risks to humans or pets but are considered household pests.