National Moth Week 2023 - The Household Casebearer Moth
The household casebearer moth, scientifically known as Phereoeca uterella , belongs to the family Tineidae. A very familiar moth, it is commonly found in households in warm, humid areas. The juvenile caterpillar life stage of this moth resembles a worm-like insect hiding and protected within a flat, gray case. The larvae form a distinctive silk case around themselves for protection and camouflage. The main food source for this species appears to be silk, especially spider webs, but also silk produced by other arthropods including discarded cases from the same species. Larvae also feed on dander and fallen human hair. Wool (but not cotton) is a favored food and the species can be a household pest due to its food sources found indoors. Routine vacuuming and cleaning, utilization of hanging moth traps (glue traps that use pheromones to attract and trap male moths), as well as natural remedies such as a bag filled with fresh garlic cloves near the infested area are known to reduce moth inc...