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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Case Bearing Moth Larva from Malaysia

On · Category: Clothes Moth and Meal Moth Caterpillars, Pantry Moths, Clothes Moths, Case-Bearers and Meal Moths Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject:  Bizarre flat bug
Geographic location of the bug:  Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date: 03/06/2018
Time: 11:49 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  I saw this little guy in my shower- tiny and flat. It pulled it’s head inside like a turtle when I touched it with a tissue. Any idea what it is??
How you want your letter signed:  Allison in KL

Case Bearing Moth Larva

Dear Allison,
This is a Case Bearing Moth Larva and they are found in homes in many parts of the world.  According to BugGuide:  “Larvae feed on old spider webs; may also eat woolen goods of all kinds if the opportunity arises.”

Thanks so much!! Very interesting… I’ll have to keep an eye out for moths…. Not much call for woolen goods in Malaysia though lol
Thanks again! Much appreciated!!
Cheers-
Allison

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Case Bearing Moth Larva

On · Category: Clothes Moth and Meal Moth Caterpillars, Pantry Moths, Clothes Moths, Case-Bearers and Meal Moths Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject:  Debris wearing Caterpillar?
Geographic location of the bug:  Marysville,  WA
Date: 11/02/2017
Time: 02:06 AM EDT
My daughter found this on her pillow. Can you please identify and let us know if we should be worried about infestation or hazards.
How you want your letter signed:  Thank you, Ronda Henderson

Case Bearing Moth Larva

Dear Ronda,
This is a Case Bearing Moth Larva, and they are frequently found in homes where they feed on pet hair and other organic materials.  They can be a nuisance if they are plentiful.  We have a funny image in our archives of a large group of Case Bearing Moth Larvae feeding on pet food.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Case Bearing Moth Larva

On · Category: Clothes Moth and Meal Moth Caterpillars Tagged With: · 1 Comment

Subject: Odd creepy crawly
Location: Southeast Florida
February 23, 2017 5:09 am
Ive recently found a bunch of these hanging around, a hard casing with what seems to be a little black worm inside along with silverfish. The worm will stick its head out and move itself around surprisingly fast as well. Its starting spring and its been raining quite a lot here in southeast Florida. They also seem to be more active at night but that may be because I’m not around much of the day. Thanks.
Signature: Alli

Case Bearing Moth Larva

Dear Alli,
This is a Case Bearing Moth Larva, a common household pest that will feed on many types of organic matter in the home, including pet hair.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Casebearing Moth Larva

On · Category: Clothes Moth and Meal Moth Caterpillars, Pantry Moths, Clothes Moths, Case-Bearers and Meal Moths Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: What’s this bug?
Location: KauAi
December 30, 2016 10:26 am
Found in my home on Kauai. It’s pretty small…a little bigger than a cantaloupe seed.. I’ve seen a few individual ones at different times…. should I be concerned?
Signature: Mahalo, Shannon

Case Bearing Moth Larva

Dear Shannon,
This is the larva of a Case Bearing Moth, a species found in proximity to humans throughout the world.  Though we do consider them to be household pests, they do not do significant damage.  They will eat shed pet hair and other organic detritus found in the home, and we have posted images of them getting into pet food.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Case Bearing Moth Larvae eat Catfood

On · Category: Clothes Moth and Meal Moth Caterpillars, Pantry Moths, Clothes Moths, Case-Bearers and Meal Moths · 1 Comment

Subject: catfood insects
Location: North central Florida
March 27, 2016 5:52 am
Hi, lately I’ve noticed some kind of insect or something around the catfood bowl. They arrange around a solitary piece of catfood in a flower petal fashion. At first I thought some type of silverfish, but these don’t have any noticeable antennae or feet. I thought they must move extremely slowly, but recently I noticed some move. They appear to gather around a piece of wayward dry catfood for days. When I first saw them, they were completely around a piece of catfood and it looked like (from a distance) a plastic flower or something, so I picked one of them up. They almost cotton-like to the touch. Any ideas?
Signature: //Dan

Case Bearing Moth Larvae eating cat food.

Case Bearing Moth Larvae eating cat food.

Dear Dan,
We are amazed that the organized manner in which these Case Bearing Moth larvae are eating cat food.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Case Bearing Moth Larva

On · Category: Clothes Moth and Meal Moth Caterpillars Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: What is this?
Location: Rancho Bernardo, San Diego, CA
January 31, 2016 12:39 pm
I have found a few of these in my home.
What are they.
Signature: Dave Douthett

Case Bearing Moth Larva

Case Bearing Moth Larva

Dear Dave,
This is a Household Casebearer, Phereoeca uterella, a common household pest.  According to BugGuide:  “The larval case is silk-lined inside and open at both ends. The case is constructed by the earliest larval stage (1st instar) before it hatches, and is enlarged by each successive instar. In constructing the case, the larva secretes silk to build an arch attached at both ends to the substrate. Very small particles of sand, soil, iron rust, insect droppings, arthropod remains, hairs and other fibers are added on the outside. The inside of the arch is lined exclusively by silk, and is gradually extended to form a tunnel, while the larva stays inside. The tunnel is closed beneath by the larva to form a tube free from the substrate, and open at both ends. After the first case is completed, the larva starts moving around, pulling its case behind. With each molt, the larva enlarges its case. Later cases are flattened and widest in the middle, allowing the larva to turn around inside.”

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination