
Community identification
Casemaking Clothes Moth (Larva)
Tinea pellionella
- Order & Family
- Order: Lepidoptera, Family: Tineidae
- Size
- Larvae are typically 5mm to 10mm in length; the silken case they carry grows with them.
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, particularly in dark, undisturbed areas like closets, drawers, and attics where natural fibers are stored.
Diet & Feeding
Keratin-rich materials including wool, silk, fur, feathers, hair, and occasionally leather or dried animal remains.
Behavior Patterns
The larva builds a portable silken case incorporating fibers from its food source. It carries this protective tube around as it feeds and eventually pupates inside it.
Risks & Benefits
Significant household pest that causes physical damage to clothing, upholstery, and carpets. They do not pose health risks to humans but can cause major economic loss to textiles.