
Community identification
Plaster Bagworm
Phereoeca uterella
- Order & Family
- Lepidoptera: Tineidae
- Size
- Case length is typically 8 mm to 14 mm.
Natural Habitat
Indoor residential environments, particularly on walls in humid areas, under furniture, and in garages.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae consume spider webs, wool, silk, hair, and other natural fibers.
Behavior Patterns
The larva lives inside a portable, spindle-shaped case made of silk and debris. It can poke its head out of either end of the case to crawl or feed. They eventually pupate inside the case before emerging as small moths.
Risks & Benefits
They are nuisance pests that can damage natural fiber clothing, rugs, and upholstery. They do not bite humans or transmit diseases.