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Casemaking Clothes Moth (Tinea pellionella)

The casemaking or case-bearing clothes moth is a member of the fungus moth family. It has a cosmopolitan distribution and is often referred to as a bagworm because of the bags that the larva carry themselves around in. It is a common pest to upholstery, woolen fabric, fur, and carpet, as evident from its name.

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Scientific Classification

Family: Tineidae
Genus: Tinea
Scientific Name: Tinea pellionella

Caterpillar

The larvae are creamy-white, 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) long. They enclose themselves in an open-ended silk case to move about. Their food sources consist of animal-derived clothing materials like wool, leather, silk, fur, and feathers.

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Pupa

The pupa formation varies with temperature, taking place quicker at higher temperatures. The cocoons look like tiny rice grains.

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Adult Moth

exual Dimorphism: Present but not prominent

Color and Appearance

The color ranges from silvery gray to a shiny light brown. There are dark grayish hairs on its head. Forewing: They are grizzled brown with a single large spot and fewer black spots, smaller in size, and paler in color.

Hindwing: The wings are plain and pale brown-gray, surrounded by hairy fringes.

Average wingspan: 9-16 mm

Season: June- October

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Egg

Females lay the eggs in small clusters, which hatch in 4-10 days. The number depends on how high the temperature is.

Quick Facts

Other Names	Case-bearing clothes moth
Distribution	Worldwide
Habitat	Dark, moist areas in households
Predators	Not recorded
Lifespan of Adults	2 months
Host Plants	The larvae do not feed on plants
Adult Diet	Do not feed

Did You Know

As they prefer higher temperatures, well-heated buildings are more likely to get infested by them.
Though similar in size and appearance, mainly infesting fabrics, the casemaking and webbing clothes moth vary in color. The former has a brownish appearance with dark wings, while the latter has a golden-tan body and wings.