Case-bearing Clothes Moth Larva
Scientific Name: Tinea pellionella
Order & Family: Order: Lepidoptera, Family: Tineidae
Size: Larvae are generally 5 to 10 mm (0.2 to 0.4 inches) long; the case itself is often slightly larger than the larva.
Natural Habitat
Typically found indoors in dark, quiet areas like closets, drawers, basements, or under furniture where fabrics are stored.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae feed on keratin-rich natural fibers such as wool, fur, silk, felt, feathers, and lint. They will also eat hair and pet fur dust bunnies.
Behavior Patterns
The most distinctive behavior is the larva carrying a silken case around its body as protection, which it camouflages with debris and fibers from its environment. It drags this case along as it moves and can retreat inside when threatened.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: They are a significant household pest that causes damage to clothing, carpets, tapestries, and upholstery by chewing holes. Benefits: In nature, they act as scavengers of keratin materials (animal remains), aiding in decomposition.
Identified on: 3/3/2026