Case-bearing Clothes Moth (Larva)

Natural Habitat

Found indoors in dark, quiet areas like closets, drawers, or under furniture where natural fibers (wool, fur, silk) or accumulated lint are present. They are often found on carpets, rugs, and clothing.

Diet & Feeding

The larvae feed on keratin-rich animal fibers such as wool, fur, silk, feathers, felt, and leather. They will also eat hair and lint accumulating in cracks.

Behavior Patterns

The most distinguishing behavior is that the larva constructs a portable, flattened, silken case around itself, which it carries around as it feeds. It camouflages the case with fibers from the material it is eating. When threatened, the larva pulls its head inside the case.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: They are a significant household pest known for damaging clothes, carpets, rugs, tapestries, and taxidermy. They chew irregular holes in fabrics. Benefits: In nature, they act as decomposers of animal remains (keratin), though this benefit is rarely appreciated indoors.

Identified on: 2/8/2026