bagworm/casemoth larva

Description:

A bagworm (or larval casemoth) halfway out of its "bag" and munching on vegetation. When it perceived my presence it popped bag inside in a lightening quick retraction (last photo). "Bagworms, also known as case moths or bag moths, are members in the Psychidae family. The caterpillars are from small to large size. Most species the caterpillars live in a mobile case. The case is made of silk and plants materials or a few species mixed with grains of sand. Each species make their case in different shapes. Most of them feed on a variety of plants. When they rest they stick the top opening on stem and hang their bag vertically. The case has two openings, one at the top and other at the bottom. The caterpillar comes out from the top to feed and ejects the waste form the bottom end. The bottom opening, which is smaller than the top opening, is also the exit hatch for the emerging adult. Sometimes the empty pupal case left at the bottom opening of the case can be seen." http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_...

Habitat:

Observed grazing on yellow walking iris (Neomarica longifolia) in a large semi-urban yard and garden in the equatorial tropics of northern New Guinea.