Psychidae

The Psychidae are a family within the Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) that are more commonly known as bagworms or case-bearers. The larvae of the Psychidae get their name from their habit of producing a tube-like case made of soil or plant material that they carry. The larvae extend from the front of the case to feed.

The larvae pupate inside these cases and the wingless adult females remain within the case after they emerge from the pupae. The males are winged and have feathery antennae. They are strong fliers and detect pheromones given off by the female.

A photograph of a bagworm case made of twigs.
Photograph by Soebe licensed under Creative Commons.

Other names for (or types of) Psychidae include:

• Bagworms
• Case-bearers

Related terms

• Caterpillar
• Chrysalis
• Imago
• Lepidoptera

Related pages on this web site

• Butterflies and Moths - Order Lepidoptera

See other words beginning with P