“Can you kindly identify this worm?” asks Lindsey in her submission regarding the white, worm-shaped organism pictured below. “The hair on top moves around like a feeler.” She does not add more context than this, and given how vague the photo is, we are not sure we can give her a concrete answer to her question. The worm almost looks like it is under a sheet, or some kind of fabric – as if it is struggling to break through it. As such, the hair on top looks like it is likely just a stray fiber from that material. For these reasons, we are not even sure what the true color of the organism is.
If we are to assume that the creature is under a piece of fabric, then that could give us some clues as to the identity of the organism. Worm-like creatures that are found trying to break through, or rather eat through, fabrics are typically clothes-eating pests. The two most common pests of this nature that one will find in their home are clothes moth larvae or carpet beetle larvae. Given the oblong shape of the organism, we are more inclined to identify this as a clothes moth larva. These pests feed on textiles that are made from organic-based materials, such as cotton, wool, leather, feathers, and silk.
Clothes moth larvae can do a lot of damage to the textile items in one’s home if an infestation spreads and is left unchecked. For that reason, we recommend that Lindsey search her home for more larvae. They will most likely be near a source of food, and prefer dark and cramped spaces where they can hide, such as inside drawers, or underneath or behind furniture (especially upholstered furniture!). We then suggest she clean any infested items, and vacuum any infested areas. It might even be a good idea to vacuum the entire home, just to be safe. With all of that said, we are not saying that an infestation is definitely occurring: it could be that Lindsey will not find any more larvae than the one. But it is a good idea to check nonetheless, just to be safe.
In conclusion, we think that the white, worm-like critter Lindsey found might be a clothes moth larva, though we are not 100% certain about this conclusion, given how the creature’s body is obscured by the fabric, as well as the lack of context. We hope nonetheless that Lindsey finds something useful in this article, and we wish her the very best!
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Just remember…. Bezos of Amazon just stepped down to invest in nationwide urgent care clinics and wifi camera laden roomba vacuums. The ultimate espionage – our health reports and homes now surveilled by some rich guy… while neglected tropical parasites are “redistributed” from the rainforest and beyond via cotton. Here come the drone package deliveries with more cameras and access. Oh, and NASA let that dude on Mars and now there’s a worm like cat hair substance up there. Stay tuned.
Perhaps it’s something to do with a clothing moth larvae and a cotton pest. I’m reading up on Jassids… You may want to look it up. So these are cotton leaf hoppers. The nymphs have no wings but adults can fly or hop. And they’re tiny. Like miniscule. Grow up to 3mm.
In terms of cotton, these jassids have apparently devastated crops worldwide according to several news outlets. You have to wonder how the workers feel… The leafhopper can release a toxic trapping substance and become parasitized itself, in turn attaching itself to the cotton crop, making it “hairier.” I feel like people keep complaining about this same phenomenon.
It may be interesting to research and figure out how this relates to moths and flies that end up on humans. There’s plenty of humans saying they are infested with horsehair worms. I’m certainly of the open mind that it is a reality or a similar known neglected parasite on those afflicted.
What if the cotton – billions of dollars worth that us now being forfeited – has been infested with something that whatever they bleach or treat cotton with doesn’t kill?
Annnnd we’ve been wearing it in clothing all the time, close to our skin, and using common items like – TP, diapers (omg!), paper towels, napkins, qtips and even woven (supposedly sterile) medical products made with cotton. This could be awful. If there’s any open wound or point of entry, the eggs or remnants of these jassids could very well could accidentally end up under human skin, emerging and causing allergic reaction, ejecting their parasites, even adapting and choosing humans as the preferred host moving forward.
I suppose everyone better stock up on anti-inflammatories, steroids, allergy meds and antidepressants. That seems to be the medical treatment for things like this. Or we could just treat the source?? Cant we? Maybe? I really don’t know. Cotton is “The Fabric of Our Lives”. We literally might just have to treat symptoms on it if its worldwide and out of control. Maybe that’s why marijuana is becoming legal now. Because theres nothing to cure this. ?