In Need of an ID...

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 1:33 pm

Found this walking across a the leaves of a Sourwood tree. Could it be a case moth of some kind?

salden · Post by **salden** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:46 pm

It is a bunch of leaves and sticks....that is what it looks like

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 7:03 pm

Won't argue with you there.

But what is under them all?

rovebeetle · Post by **rovebeetle** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 9:24 pm

They look funny, don't they?

Inside is the caterpillar of a bag-worm moth (Psychidae).

Cheers

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:36 am

Thanks Harry

I knew there was some sort of creature in there but I wasn't sure as to what. Thanks again

tpe · Post by **tpe** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 12:37 am

What a cryptic little fellow that is, excelent

Nicely IDed too

tim

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:14 am

I am used to seeing the long mottled gray and black cocoons of bag worms hanging for limbs and such. I would never have thought to this being one. Thanks Tim

Argusray · Post by **Argusray** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:58 am

Well spotted. Nice shot.

Argusray

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:10 am

Thanks Argusray. Just being in the right place at the right time I suppose.

Harold Gough · Post by **Harold Gough** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:41 am

I new what was was from your question, before the picture opened up. They used to fool me but I now see them in my garden each year. Some very tiny species, rather like tiny conical snails, a few millimeters long, live in hollow cavities, etc.

The family name refers to the similarity to (aquatic) caddis fly larvae.

Harold

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 4:38 pm

Had it have been in a stream environment, that is what I would have immediately assumed there Harold because right away it suggests "caddis fly." Especially the top portion. Anyway I was surprised to find out "bagworm!" Thanks Harold