Bug Identifier
Case-bearing Clothes Moth (larva)
Community identification

Case-bearing Clothes Moth (larva)

Tinea pellionella

Order & Family
Lepidoptera: Tineidae
Size
8 to 10 millimeters in length
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments, specifically closets, rugs, and storage areas

Diet & Feeding

Larvae eat natural fibers such as wool, fur, feathers, hair, and silk

Behavior Patterns

The larva constructs a portable silken case camouflaged with fragments of the material it is feeding on, dragging the case with it as it moves and feeds.

Risks & Benefits

Minor household pest that can cause significant damage to clothing, upholstery, and carpets made of animal-derived fibers.