Casemaking Clothes Moth (Larva/Case)

Natural Habitat

Typically found indoors in dark, quiet areas such as closets, under heavy furniture, or in storage chests where woolen fabrics or furs are kept.

Diet & Feeding

The larvae feed on keratin-rich materials, including wool, fur, silk, feathers, felt, and sometimes hair or pet dander found in dust.

Behavior Patterns

The most distinctive behavior is that the larva spins a silken case around itself, often incorporating fibers from the materials it is eating, which camouflages it. It drags this case around wherever it goes and retreats inside when disturbed. It rarely leaves the case until it pupates.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: They are a significant household pest that causes damage to clothing, carpets, rugs, and upholstery made of natural fibers. Benefits: No direct benefits to humans, though in nature they help break down animal remains (feathers, fur).

Identified on: 2/26/2026