Tinea pellionella (Case-making Clothes Moth)
Scientific Name: Tinea pellionella
Order & Family: Order: Lepidoptera, Family: Tineidae
Size: Larvae grow to 10 mm in length while the adult moth has a wingspan of 9 to 16 mm.
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments like homes, closets, and warehouses where natural fibers and animal products are available.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae consume natural animal fibers like wool, feathers, fur, and silk, as well as lint and hair.
Behavior Patterns
Larvae live within a silken portable case made from materials they eat; adults are nocturnal and do not feed, focusing only on reproduction.
Risks & Benefits
They are serious household pests that damage clothing and upholstery; they provide a benefit by decomposing natural fibers in the environment but offer no direct benefit to humans.
Identified on: 2/3/2026