Snail-case Bagworm Moth
Common NameSnail-case Bagworm Moth
Scientific NameApterona helicoidella
FamilyPsychidae
SubfamilyApteroninae
Wingspan (mm)12
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorsdark grey, brown
HabitatGrasslands, dry meadows, disturbed areas, gardens
Geographic RangeNative to Southern Europe; invasive in parts of North America (e.g., western US)
Host Plantsvarious grasses, forbs, low-growing plants
Flight PeriodMay to July
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae construct a distinctive snail-shell-shaped case from silk and plant debris. Females are wingless, remain inside their cases, and reproduce parthenogenetically.
Identification TipsMales are small and dark, often nondescript. Identification is most reliably done by finding the characteristic snail-shell-like larval cases or by examining male genitalia.
Description
A small, uniformly dark grey to brownish-grey moth with relatively broad, somewhat hairy wings and a robust, dark body.
