11.006 BF181

Taleporia tubulosa

(Retzius, 1783)

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Wingspan 15-19 mm. (male)

Members of this family are sometimes known as 'bagworms' because of the larval habit of constructing a case, or bag, in which to live.

This species produces a long, narrow case made from fragments of sand, lichen and bark, bound together with silk, and the larva feeds on lichens where the case is attached (usually a tree trunk or fence).

The adult moths appear in May and June, and the females are completely wingless, resembling small yellow grubs. The males are dull brownish affairs.