
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.
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.