Plaster Bagworm
Scientific Name: Phereoeca uterella
Order & Family: Lepidoptera, Tineidae
Size: Case: 8 to 14 mm in length; Larva: up to 10 mm
Natural Habitat
Humid indoor environments, often found on walls, under furniture, or in closets
Diet & Feeding
Larvae feed on spider webs, wool, human hair, and silk fibers
Behavior Patterns
The larva constructs a silken case covered in sand or dust and drags it along while feeding; it can move from both ends of the spindle-shaped case
Risks & Benefits
A nuisance pest in homes that can damage fabrics made of natural fibers; poses no direct health risk to humans
Identified on: 1/5/2026