
Community identification
Case-bearing Clothes Moth (larva)
Tinea pellionella
- Order & Family
- Lepidoptera: Tineidae
- Size
- 8 to 10 millimeters in length
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.