Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua

Australian bag moth pupa

Cebysa leucotelus Walker


Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Psychidae

Size range

  • Bag can be 15–20 mm long

Distribution

  • Australian
  • First found in Auckland in 1981

Life History

  • Caterpillar forms an untidy bag to live and pupate in
  • Found on rock walls and houses. Feeds on minute algae and lichen
  • Adult female is often mistaken for a beetle. Adult female can fly, but only in short hops
  • Male is fully winged

Additional images