Case-bearing Clothes Moth (Larva)

Natural Habitat

Found indoors in dark areas like closets, drawers, carpets, and storage boxes; often associated with natural fibers like wool, silk, fur, feathers, and felts.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on keratin-rich materials, including wool clothing, carpets, tapestries, upholstery, felt, fur, and occasionally stored dry goods.

Behavior Patterns

The larva constructs a portable silken case incorporating fibers from its food source, which acts as camouflage. It drags this case around as it feeds and will withdraw into it if disturbed. They prefer undisturbed, dark environments.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Significant pest that causes damage to expensive textiles, clothing, and rugs by chewing holes in them. Benefits: In nature, they help decompose animal matter (detritivores), but they are strictly pests in households.

Identified on: 3/3/2026