Common bag moth larva
Liothula omnivora (Fereday)
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Psychidae
Size range
- Bag 60 mm long, adult wingspan 30 mm
Distribution
- New Zealand native
Life History
- Caterpillar forms in a tough cylindrical bag and attaches to plants
- Often seen in gardens and shrubland
- Eats leaves. Can be damaging if in large numbers
- When fully grown the larva secures the bag and pupates
- Adult female is flightless, grublike and lives within bag. Male is fully winged