
Community identification
Household Casebearer
Phereoeca uterella
- Order & Family
- Lepidoptera: Tineidae
- Size
- Case length: 8-14 mm; Larva: up to 10 mm
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, particularly on walls and under furniture in humid climates
Diet & Feeding
Natural fibers including wool, fur, hair, and silk, as well as spider webs and dead insects
Behavior Patterns
The larva constructs a protective silk-lined case covered in dust and debris; it can peek out from either end of the case to feed or move
Risks & Benefits
Considered a household pest as it can damage clothing and carpets made of natural fibers; no direct risk to human health