#case moth

Little house <3

I learnt something new! This was a male. The females are a different colour, and they don't grow wings even after they pupate, and they never leave the case.

Thanks to @onenicebugperday for inspiring me.

A case moth species found in all Australian states, on a variety of foodplants. Distinguished from other in the large genus by the cases, which are up to 35mm long, and constructed from tiers of short twigs or stems or cylindrical leaves, each cut to the same length.

The adults are black and brownish yellow - this one is very similar to artiella but isn't an exact match for the markings.

@nulook4summa submitted: hello from me and this saunders’ case moth larva (I think?) in kyogle, australia

I skipped 37 other submissions again to post this absolutely STUNNING LAD. These photos are incredible, great find. It’s definitely a Saunders’ case moth, which is a type of bagworm, and these are some of the best photos I’ve ever seen of the caterpillar in its case. Highly recommend you submit to iNaturalist so other people can enjoy them!

For those curious, this is a caterpillar, and adult males look like this (after they pupate in their case, which is made out of silk and plant debris):

Photo by scottwgavins

I wasn’t able to find a photo of a female - they stay in their case after pupation and are wingless. :)

Another weird caterpillar species, though this one’s in the shape of an old sock.

Music (C) Closed on Sunday