Case Bearing Moth

Adult case-making moths (Tinea pellionella) can have a ½ inch wingspread.  Females mate on the day they emerge as adults and can start laying eggs the next day. They lay on average about 37-48 eggs singly on a suitable Laval food. The eggs hatch in about 4-7 days and the larva wanders about for 24 hours. Development time from egg to adult takes about 46-116 days. Female adults live about 3-8 days and males live about 3-5 days. Case-making moth larva will attack primarily materials of animal origin and secondly those of plant origin. Animal origin materials include, feathers, wool's, rugs, furs, taxidermy mounts and piano felts. Plant origin materials include tobacco, various seasonings, hemp, almonds, saffron etc. it is a major pest of feathers/down and hair/fur.  The case-bearing moth occasionally is encountered outdoors where the cases can be found attached to walls, screens, and even window glass.