Case bearing clothes moth

( Latin: Tinea pellionella)

Unlike the common clothes moth this is an insect which does live outside in temperate regions. For instance, it is not uncommonly found in birds’ nests.

The adult case bearing clothes moth is very similar in appearance to the common clothes moth. The larvae of the case bearing moth are, however, easy to recognise, for they spin a small tubular case which becomes covered with fragments of wool or feather. They creep around in this case and withdraw into it when threatened. Clothes moth larvae, on the other hand, attach their tube firmly to the substrate.

The case bearing clothes moth larva pupates inside its case. In other respects its habits and life history are similar to those of the common clothes moth, but it requires a higher humidity, and it has become less common as a pest in recent years.