Family Psychidae (Psychids, Bagworm Moths)

Description of Psychidae

The Psychidae are a group of small to medium-sized moths that are members of the Superfamily Tineiodea. Female adults of most species lack wings or have very small and non-functional wings. Males are typically black and their wingspan is 1.2-3.6 cm. The abdomen of these moths is long and tapering. Adults of both sexes have vestigal mouth parts. In some species, females entirely lack eyes, antennae, and legs. Larvae form characteristic spindle-shaped silken cases covered with bits of leaves, twigs, and other debris. Each larva enlarges its case as it grows. These moths pupate in the larval case after it is attached to a twig with silk. In most species, the female does not leave the case, but attracts males by emitting pheromones from her abdomen. To mate, the male thrusts his abdomen through the open lower end of the case. The female lays her eggs in the case; when they hatch, larvae crawl away to feed and form their own silken cases.

Subfamily:

Dahlica triquetrella (Hübner, 1812)

Subfamily: Oiketicinae (Oiketicines)

Apterona helicoidella Snailcase Bagworm (Vallot, 1827)

Oiketicus abbotii Abbot's Bagworm Moth (Grote, 1880)

Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis Evergreen Bagworm Moth (Haworth, 1803)

Subfamily: Psychinae (Psychine Moths)

Astala confederata (Grote & Robinson, 1868)

Basicladus tracyi (Jones, 1911)

Cryptothelea gloverii (Packard, 1869)

Cryptothelea nigrita Nigrita Bagworm Moth (Barnes & McDunnough, 1913)

Psyche casta Common Bagworm Moth (Pallas, 1767)

Taleporia walshella Clemens, 1862

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Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Description of Psychidae

Subfamily:

Subfamily: Oiketicinae (Oiketicines)

Subfamily: Psychinae (Psychine Moths)

New April 2025 Earth Day Special Release Shirts!

Please donate!

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Description of Psychidae

Photographs of Psychidae

Evergreen Bagworm Moth
Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Common Bagworm Moth
Psyche casta

Evergreen Bagworm Moth
Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Evergreen Bagworm Moth
Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Evergreen Bagworm Moth
Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Common Bagworm Moth
Psyche casta

Common Bagworm Moth
Psyche casta

Evergreen Bagworm Moth
Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Evergreen Bagworm Moth
Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Taleporia walshella

Evergreen Bagworm Moth
Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Dahlica triquetrella

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Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Family Psychidae (Psychids, Bagworm Moths)

Description of Psychidae

Subfamily:

Subfamily: Oiketicinae (Oiketicines)

Subfamily: Psychinae (Psychine Moths)

Please donate!

Advertise with us!

Description of Psychidae

Photographs of Psychidae

Evergreen Bagworm MothThyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Common Bagworm MothPsyche casta

Evergreen Bagworm MothThyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Evergreen Bagworm MothThyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Evergreen Bagworm MothThyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Common Bagworm MothPsyche casta

Common Bagworm MothPsyche casta

Evergreen Bagworm MothThyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Evergreen Bagworm MothThyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Evergreen Bagworm MothThyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Evergreen Bagworm Moth
Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Common Bagworm Moth
Psyche casta

Evergreen Bagworm Moth
Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Evergreen Bagworm Moth
Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Evergreen Bagworm Moth
Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Common Bagworm Moth
Psyche casta

Common Bagworm Moth
Psyche casta

Evergreen Bagworm Moth
Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Evergreen Bagworm Moth
Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Evergreen Bagworm Moth
Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis