
Community identification
Case-bearing clothes moth (larva)
Tinea pellionella
- Order & Family
- Lepidoptera, Tineidae
- Size
- Case is typically 8-10 mm; larva is around 6-8 mm
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, particularly in closets, drawers, and carpets containing animal fibers
Diet & Feeding
Keratin-rich materials including wool, silk, fur, feathers, and hair
Behavior Patterns
The larva builds a silk case encrusted with fibers which it carries as it feeds; it undergoes complete metamorphosis inside the case
Risks & Benefits
Significant risk of property damage to clothing and upholstery; no direct health risk to humans but considered a common household pest