Dinky moths are hard to ID. Is it possible to get a better photo? And share your general location--most insects have a fairly limited range.

Do you have any reason to think it is involved with the plant other than being found near it? Any damage? It's more likely to be a clothes or pantry moth, or something that manages to wander in at random. (Note that many advertising images online for clothes/pantry moths show totally different moths. Extension services, other governmental agencies, and universities will have the best info.

Hi Logician LLC,

Thanks for your reply! I also had it identified as a "banded scythris" via the app, which is apparently a type of flower moth. However, it's not a 1:1 match, since the moth I'm seeing in my apartment is jet black and has yellow/brown instead of white stripes.

I'm only ever seeing one moth at a time. Sometimes weeks go by without seeing a single one of them, but on average I'm seeing 1-4 moths per week. I almost always spot them next to or within 7 feet of the rubber plant. I have also seen them chilling on the planter and on top of a leaf before. I haven't noticed any chewed leaves or caterpillars, but I have seen them fly out of the soil on two occasions.

Hi Fori,

Thanks for your reply! Unfortunately, the picture in my original post is the sharpest one I have. Here are some additional pictures:

I think it's plant-related because I have seen them come out of the soil when poking in there with a stick on two occasions. I have also seen them sitting on the leaves of my rubber plant and on the planter. There is no plant damage, though, which is odd.

I initially thought they were clothing moths as well because they have s similar size and overall shape. However, I haven't seen any damaged clothing items, larvae, or eggs in the closets or anywhere in the apartment. Also, I have only ever seen them near my closet maybe once. I think I can rule out that it is a pantry moth since they don't hang out in my kitchen at all. I live in San Francisco, CA.

Thank you for your advice to check out the resources that government agencies and universities have to offer!

Not enough markings on your moth for 'banded scythris'.

Also, many of the Gelechioid moths have upturned, tufted wing-ends, looking almost like a tail.

Your moth appears to have fairly flat wings.

I'll keep poking around, the distinctive chevron marking is a good clue.

Your moth is not an exact match for any of the common indoor pest moths.

I agree! "Banded sythris" seem to also have a teardrop shape whereas the moth I'm dealing with does not.

I really appreciate you poking around for me!

I cannot ID your intriguing little moth with any certainty. The small images do show a distinct wing pattern that is a good clue. (I was able to enlarge and brighten your images).

The moth is certainly in the Superfamily Gelechioidea, or Twirler Moths.

(Greek meaning "resting on the ground")

Three possibilities:

Elachista cucullata https://bugguide.net/node/view/736047

^ the only one with a chevron-like wing marking

Scythris trivinctella, the banded scythris https://bugguide.net/node/view/171223

^ a more common moth, cannot rule it out.

Chionodes lugubrella https://bugguide.net/node/view/978560

^ the only one with no white marking near the head

None of the above moths are a common indoor food or plant pest.

Visit some of the tabs in the above links; California sightings or populations are mentioned.

The degree of markings on moth wings can vary by region even for the same species.

Keep an eye on your plants for leaf miner damage.