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Photo#491524
Tubular Lint like or Dust like bug Grey in color - Tinea pellionella

Tubular Lint like or Dust like bug Grey in color - Tinea pellionella
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
February 16, 2011
Size: about an inch
I found this bug on a wall in the bathroom and wanted to know what it was. What is this and is it harmful? It was very small I thought it was a piece of dust or lint and then I discovered that a creature was inside of the tube shape. kind of like a snail. The image shows this better than I can describe it. I have never seen anything like this before. Where did this come from? Is this harmful to pets?

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
I unchecked "female" and checked "immature".

Gender
why is this insect marked as female?

Hmm...
I'm thinking it looks a bit like the Casemaking clothes moth (Tinea pellionella):



Charley Eiseman or one of the other experts should be able to say for sure. Even if my ID is a bit off, I can assure you that this is not an insect that will harm you, your children or your pets.

Welcome to BugGuide!

 
Comment on old ID from 2011
I know this is old, but recently I saw a caddisfly larvae. It also sported a narrow tube of debris, and had a little red head. I thought case bearing moth cases were more fibrous or "linty" for lack of a better word. I think this tube looks more like rocky, litterish debris..
I'm certainly not an insect expert, still learning so I won't be afraid of (all of) them.
You're probably right, you've been on here a lot longer than I have. Regardless. I thought I'd share my thoughts with you since it didn't sound like you were 100% sure.
Do you agree with this idea?
Heres what I was referring to:
Ecclisopteryx larva:
https://bit.ly/2DlV99R
Or
Montiphylax larva-
https://bit.ly/3eblvYN

 
Caddisfly larvae are aquatic.
This specimen was found on a bathroom wall.

 
I agree...
I don't think there's another option for a moth larva wearing a straight-sided, portable tube of lint.

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