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Project Noah Nature School
Hyalarcta nigrescens
This small conical structures are ribbed silk cases of case moth caterpillars. They are said to have about 7 prominent ribs. these were smooth and had no attached leaves, twigs or debris. about 15 mm tall.
Spotted on a young Eucalyptus tree.
These caterpillars feed on gum leaves and stay within their protective "bags" where they pupate and mature. Males leave the cases/bags while females never leave their protective shelters. Family: Psychidae
Spotted on Sep 6, 2013
Submitted on Sep 9, 2013
6 Comments
Scott, I can see the ribs in your too. I am determined to document all the different psychids I see. They are interesting.
Martin, I think they are one and the same. I saw at least two closed ribbed cases on other leaves of the same tree ( similar to your spottings). The open ones looking like witches hats were active and I saw one draw back in and looked like it was in the process of closing the top as if with a draw string !!
Leuba. This casemoth is possibly a longer one but has folded its tent up for the day. Check this observation http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/384...
I never really mentioned the ribs seen in mine http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/178... I guess I'll have to edit that description :-)
Looks like a witches hat.
Is it your understanding that the conical ones are young specimen that are still constructing their cases?
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/830...
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/105...
Cool spotting!