Clothing Moth Larva (specifically the Case-bearing Clothes Moth)

Dark, closeted areas indoors, particularly where natural fibers are stored such as wardrobes, carpets, drawers, and under furniture. They prefer undisturbed, distinctively dry locations.

They feed on keratin-rich natural fibers including wool, silk, fur, feathers, leather, and hair. They will also eat lint and dust that contains human or pet hair.

The larva builds a flattened, portable, silken case around itself, which it carries as it moves (often looking like a crawling piece of lint or a grain of rice). They are photophobic (avoid light) and tend to remain hidden in folds of fabric or deep pile carpets.

Risks: They are a significant household pest that causes irreversible damage to expensive clothing, carpets, tapestries, and taxidermy by chewing holes through the fabric. Benefits: In nature (not indoors), they play a minor role as decomposers of animal hair and feathers.