Bug Identifier
Plaster bagworm (or Case-bearing clothes moth larva)
Community identification

Plaster bagworm (or Case-bearing clothes moth larva)

Phereoeca uterella

Order & Family
Lepidoptera: Tineidae
Size
Larval case is typically 8 mm to 14 mm in length.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found inside homes, particularly in humid environments, on walls, or near floors where dust and hair accumulate.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on spider webs, wool, hair, silk, and other natural fibers or debris containing keratin.

Behavior Patterns

The larva constructs a protective silk case covered in sand, dust, and lint. It can pull its head out of either end of the case to feed or move. They typically crawl up walls to pupate.

Risks & Benefits

They are considered a household nuisance. While they don't bite humans or pets, they can damage natural fiber clothing, rugs, and upholstery if present in large numbers.