Case-bearing carpet moth

(Tinea pellionella)

 

Biology:

The case-bearing carpet moth (fam. Tineidae, tineid moths) has a wing span of approximately 17 mm and its head features a coat of fuzzy hair, like the webbing clothes moth. The fringed front wings are yellowish-brown with a few dark flecks. The larva lives in a flattened tube, which it spins itself. However, unlike with the webbing clothes moth, this is not attached to the surface; instead, the larva takes it along when it is moving around. As the case-bearing carpet moth has high moisture requirements, it can primarily be found in maritime climates in damp dwellings which are heated very little. In modern, centrally heated dwellings, it has largely been replaced by the webbing clothes moth now.

 

Damage:

The damage it causes to furs and woollen textiles is similar to that caused by the webbing clothes moth.