As with the common clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella), earlier authors frequently misapplied the name Tinea vestianella to the present species.

The hindwings are lighter brown-grey; they are surrounded by a long-haired fringe, as usual for fungus moths and relatives.

They have been recorded from dried-out animal carcasses, in the debris of bird nests and on owl pellets.

They have also been found to eat feathers, furs, hairs, carpets, rags and rotted fabrics.

[9] Invalid scientific names (junior synonyms and others) of the skin moth are:[10] Blabophanes semispilotella has been believed to refer to the same animal as M. weaverella, but the latter seems to be a distinct species, while the former is not even a subspecies of M. laevigella but merely a chance form.