Lepidoptera: Tineidae: Phereoeca sp.

Case-bearing Clothes Moth (Phereoeca sp) is common in Los Angeles basin. The larvae carry a flattened case made of fine sand and debris. The case is about a quarter to half an inch long in general. They are often found on the ceiling or walls of houses and other structures. Larvae feed on insect remains, fur, flannel, wool, spider webs, bat and bird droppings, fabrics, and hair; they are reported to damage wool carpets in southern California. Thorough vacuuming should help to control them. The adult moths are very small and are rarely seen. The first report of Phereoeca moth occurring in California was on 28 January 1986.

Photograph by W. Xie