Cebysa leucotelus

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Cebysa leucotelus
Cebysa leucotelus (ento-csiro-au).jpg
Scientific classification
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C. leucotelus
Binomial name
Cebysa leucotelus
(Walker, 1854)
Synonyms
  • Pitane dilectaWalker, 1854
  • Sezeris conflictellaWalker, 1863
  • Oecinea scottiScott, 1864
  • Cebysa leucotelesMeyrick, 1912

The Australian bagmoth (Cebysa leucotelus) or lichen bag moth is a moth of the Psychidae family. It is found in New Zealand and the southern half of Australia (Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia).

Larva in case Cebysa leucotelus case.jpg
Larva in case
Female lichen bag moth, with underdeveloped wings. CSIRO ScienceImage 1044 Cebysa leucotelus Psychidae.jpg
Female lichen bag moth, with underdeveloped wings.

The larvae build a protective bag like the other bag moths in the family Psychidae, and feed on lichen and algae.

The adult female moth has black wings with yellow wingtips and patches, but they do not expand properly, so she is not able to fly. Females are often mistaken for beetles or wasps. [1]

The male has a similar pattern and colouring, more brown and cream, and no iridescence. His wings are fully developed and adult males can fly normally. Neither male nor female ever eat, and live only long enough to mate and produce eggs.

Lichen bag moths arrived in New Zealand from Australia in 1981 and have been gradually spreading across the country. [1]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Canephora hirsuta</i> Species of moth

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<i>Epichnopterix plumella</i> Species of moth

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<i>Luffia lapidella</i> Species of moth

Luffia lapidella is a moth of the Psychidae family. It is found in Europe including The Netherlands and Belgium.

<i>Ptilocephala plumifera</i> Species of moth

Ptilocephala plumifera is a moth of the family Psychidae. It is found in most of Europe south of the British Isles and Scandinavia, east to the European part of Russia.

<i>Psyche crassiorella</i> Species of moth

Psyche crassiorella is a moth of the Psychidae family. It is found from the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea, through the temperate areas of Europe, to England and north to central Fennoscandia. In the Alps it is found up to heights of 1,200 meters.

<i>Dahlica triquetrella</i> Species of moth

Dahlica triquetrella is a bagworm moth of the Psychidae family. It is found in Europe and North America.

<i>Clania ignobilis</i> Species of moth

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<i>Metura elongatus</i> Species of moth

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<i>Dahlica lichenella</i> Species of moth

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<i>Pachythelia villosella</i> Species of moth

Pachythelia villosella is a moth of the Psychidae family. It is found in Europe.

<i>Anaproutia comitella</i> Species of moth

Anaproutia comitella is a moth of the Psychidae family. It is found in France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria.

<i>Bacotia claustrella</i> Species of moth

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<i>Gadira petraula</i> Species of moth

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References

  1. 1 2 Crowe, Andrew (2002). Which New Zealand Insect?. Auckland: Penguin. p. 33. ISBN   0-14-100636-6.