Case-bearing Clothes Moth

Natural Habitat

Indoors, especially in dark, undisturbed areas like closets, attics, and storage spaces; prefers natural fibers and animal products.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on natural animal fibers such as wool, fur, feathers, felt, silk, and sometimes cotton blends if soiled with food or sweat. They also consume pet hair, lint, and dust.

Behavior Patterns

The larvae construct a silken case, often incorporating fibers from their food source, which they carry with them and enlarge as they grow. Adults are poor fliers and tend to flutter rather than fly directly. They are nocturnal and attracted to light, or seen scurrying quickly when disturbed. The larval stage is the destructive stage.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Significant pest of textiles, clothing, carpets, and museum specimens made of natural animal fibers, causing damage through their feeding. They can lead to considerable economic losses. Benefits: None noteworthy for humans; they play a minor role in natural decomposition of animal products in the wild.

Identified on: 9/29/2025