Case-bearing Clothes Moth (larval case)

Natural Habitat

Typically found indoors in dark, undisturbed areas such as closets, carpets, attics, and underneath furniture where natural fibers are present.

Diet & Feeding

The larvae feed on keratin-rich natural fibers including wool, silk, fur, feathers, hair, and sometimes felt or stored dry food products.

Behavior Patterns

Unlike other textile moths, the Case-bearing Clothes Moth larva constructs a portable, silken tube-like case around itself using fibers from the material it is eating. It drags this case along as it moves and eventually pupates inside it. They avoid light.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: They are significant household pests that can cause extensive damage to clothing, rugs, upholstery, and taxidermy. Benefits: In nature, they help break down animal matter (like carcasses or nesting materials), but indoors they are purely considered pests.

Identified on: 2/21/2026