Oiketicinae

Herrich-Schäffer, 1855

bagworm moths, bagworms

Genus Guides

Apterona
Oiketicus(bagworm moths)
Thyridopteryx(bagworm moths)

Oiketicinae is a of bagworm moths (Psychidae) characterized by larvae that construct portable cases from silk and environmental materials. The subfamily includes with diverse ecological strategies, from herbivores to with narrow plant associations. Some species exhibit unusual , including on other insects. males are typically winged and free-living, while females are often flightless and may remain or enclosed within their cases.

Thyridopteryx by (c) Teá Montagna, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Teá Montagna. Used under a CC-BY license.

Thyridopteryx by (c) John B., some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Hyaloscotes fragmentella by (c) Dave, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Dave. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Oiketicinae: /ɔɪˌkɛtɪˈt͡ʃaɪniː/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Distribution

Global distribution with documented occurrences in North Africa, the Near and Middle East, the Mediterranean region (including Malta, Sicily, Tunisia, Algeria), Australia, and North America.

Life Cycle

Complete with larval, pupal, and stages. Larvae construct portable silk cases incorporating plant material, soil particles, or other debris. Cases are enlarged sequentially as larvae grow. occurs within the case. Adult males emerge from cases to seek females; females of many remain within or attached to their larval cases and may lack wings.

Behavior

Larvae carry their constructed cases throughout development, extending the end to feed and retracting for protection. Some within the exhibit atypical feeding strategies: Chalcoela iphitalis larvae are predatory on paper wasp (Polistes) larvae within nests, and at least one species (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis) has been recorded as a for the Calliephialtes grapholithae.

Ecological Role

Herbivory on diverse plant groups; some function as Casuarinaceae . Larval cases contribute to nutrient cycling through incorporation of plant detritus. Certain species occupy unusual as of social larvae.