Walshella Case-bearer
Common NameWalshella Case-bearer
Scientific NameSiederia walshella
FamilyPsychidae
SubfamilyTaleporiinae
Wingspan (mm)12
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsdark grey, black, pale grey
HabitatWoodlands, heathlands, gardens, walls, and areas with lichens and algae
Geographic RangeWestern and Central Europe, including Great Britain and Ireland
Host Plantslichens, algae
Flight PeriodApril to June
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae construct a portable case from silk and detritus, feeding on lichens and algae. Females are wingless (apterous) and remain within their larval case, attracting winged males with pheromones.
Identification TipsLook for its small size, the distinctive cryptic grey and black mottled forewing pattern, and its diurnal flight. The presence of case-bearing larvae on lichen-covered surfaces is also a key indicator.
Description
A small, dark moth with cryptically patterned forewings, mottled with shades of dark grey, black, and pale grey. The head is notably fuzzy and pale.
