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Identification history
| Unverified | 19 Sep 2025 | Curiosity |
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User's notes
I've suggested a case moth, but could this be a concealer moth? The 'case' looks like a bit of grass and the larva moved forward from either end of the 'case'. It appeared to favour the end shown in images 1-3. To move forward, the larva emerged from the case to almost its full length and then the case quickly popped forward to cover it. The case is 2 cm in length. There is another case that has been attached to a support post for several days.
6 comments
WendyEM
wrote:
19 Sep 2025
Very interesting observations. Interesting recording and photographs. Sadly I don't know the answer to group or ID.
Curiosity
wrote:
19 Sep 2025
Appreciate your comments, @WendyEM. This is the first time I've seen a larval case moved any distance. I was shocked when it suddenly snapped forward to cover the larva!
donhe
wrote:
19 Sep 2025
@Curiosity : hope you can rear it to get an adult. Would love to know what it is.
Curiosity
wrote:
19 Sep 2025
Hi, @donhe. I still have access to the case. It hasn't moved today but assume the larva is still inside. It appears to have a strand of web attaching it to the walk. Could you give me details on how to care for it - in a clear or coloured container, something to eat if the larva appears? I've not done this before so any details would be very helpful. Thanks!
donhe
wrote:
19 Sep 2025
The survival rate of caterpillars in the wild is less than 1%. Leaving it in the wild is virtually a death sentence. Put it in a clean jar with a fabric top held by an elastic band.
The six basic common Australian caterpillar foods are:
Gum leaves,
Wattle leaves,
Herbaceous plant leaves,
Grass,
Lichen, and
Flower petals.
If an unknown caterpillar rejects all five, then rose petals and thinly sliced apple are good standbys. Apparently plants in Rosaceae have developed very few poisons.
The six basic common Australian caterpillar foods are:
Gum leaves,
Wattle leaves,
Herbaceous plant leaves,
Grass,
Lichen, and
Flower petals.
If an unknown caterpillar rejects all five, then rose petals and thinly sliced apple are good standbys. Apparently plants in Rosaceae have developed very few poisons.
Sighting information
- At least 1 Abundance
- Curiosity Recorded by
-
Collections
Curiosity NatureMapr Southern Highlands Case moths (Psychidae) Moths (Lepidoptera) Insects
Additional information
- 12mm to 25mm Animal size
Record quality
- Images or audio
- More than one media file
- Verified by an expert moderator
- Nearby sighting(s) of same species
- GPS evidence of location
- Description
- Additional attributes