Casespawning Clothes Moth
Scientific Name: Tinea pellionella
Order & Family: Lepidoptera: Tineidae
Size: Approx. 5 mm to 10 mm (wingspan)
Natural Habitat
Commonly found inside homes, particularly in closets, drawers, or laundry rooms containing natural fibers.
Diet & Feeding
Larvae feed on animal-based materials like wool, silk, fur, feathers, and hair. Adults do not eat.
Behavior Patterns
The larvae live inside a portable silken case they build from fibers and debris. They carry this protective case with them as they feed.
Risks & Benefits
Potential risk for significant damage to clothing, upholstery, and carpets. They provide no direct benefit to the ecosystem inside a home.
Identified on: 5/18/2026