Case-bearer
Guides
Anomoea rufifrons occidentimutabilis
A subspecies of case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. Described by Moldenke in 1970 from western North American populations of Anomoea rufifrons. The subspecific epithet "occidentimutabilis" suggests variability in western populations. Like other members of the genus, adults are associated with woody vegetation and are case-bearers in the larval stage.
Astala
bagworm moth
Astala is a genus of bagworm moths in the family Psychidae, established by Davis in 1964. The genus contains approximately seven described species. As members of Psychidae, Astala species are characterized by larval cases constructed from silk and environmental materials such as plant debris, twigs, or sand.
Coleophora argentialbella
Coleophora argentialbella is a species of case-bearing moth in the family Coleophoridae. It was described by Chambers in 1874 from specimens collected in the United States. The species is known from Kentucky and Oklahoma, though published records remain sparse.
Coleophora asterophagella
Coleophora asterophagella is a case-bearing moth in the family Coleophoridae, described by McDunnough in 1944. The species is known from central Canada, with records from Ontario, Alberta, and Manitoba. Larvae are specialized feeders on Aster species, constructing distinctive annulate (ringed) cases from plant material.
Coleophora badiipennella
Pale Elm Case-bearer
Coleophora badiipennella is a small case-bearing moth in the family Coleophoridae, first described by Duponchel in 1843. It is widely distributed across Europe and has been introduced to North America. The species is associated with several deciduous tree genera, particularly elms. Adults are active in early summer.
Coleophora kalmiella
Coleophora kalmiella is a small case-bearing moth in the family Coleophoridae, described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1936. The species is endemic to eastern Canada, with confirmed records from Nova Scotia. Larvae are specialized feeders on Kalmia species (sheep laurel and related Ericaceae), constructing distinctive composite leaf cases from host plant material. The specific epithet reflects this obligate host association.
Coleophora monardella
Coleophora monardella is a case-bearing moth in the family Coleophoridae, first described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1933. The species is known from limited records in North America, specifically Iowa and Ontario. Its larvae are specialized feeders on Monarda species, particularly Monarda fistulosa, and construct distinctive annulate (ringed) larval cases. The species epithet reflects its association with Monarda host plants.
Coleophora ostryae
Coleophora ostryae is a small case-bearing moth in the family Coleophoridae. It is found in eastern North America, with records from Maryland and Ontario. The larvae construct distinctive spatulate leaf cases and feed on the foliage of several hardwood tree genera.
Coleophora persimplexella
Coleophora persimplexella is a case-bearing moth in the family Coleophoridae, described by James Halliday McDunnough in 1955. The species is known only from Canada, with confirmed records in Nova Scotia. Larvae construct portable lobe cases and feed on leaves of woody plants in the genera Comptonia, Betula, and Alnus.
Coleophora polemoniella
Coleophora polemoniella is a case-bearing moth species in the family Coleophoridae, described by Braun in 1919. The species is known from the United States, with confirmed records from Ohio. Its larvae are specialized herbivores that feed on leaves of Jacob's ladder (Polemonium reptans) and construct distinctive silken cases.
Coleophora querciella
Coleophora querciella is a case-bearing moth in the family Coleophoridae, first described by Clemens in 1861. The larvae construct portable cases from silk and plant material while feeding on leaves of various deciduous trees. It occurs in North America with documented records from Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Canada.
Coleophora serratella
Cigar Casebearer Moth, Birch-Alder Casebearer
A small case-bearing moth with a wingspan of 11–14 mm. Adults are active in June and are difficult to identify without dissection and microscopic examination of genitalia. Larvae feed on birch, alder, and other woody plants, constructing portable cases from silk and plant material. The species occurs across Europe (except the Balkan Peninsula), Japan (Hokkaido), and North America.
Coleophoridae
case-bearers, casebearing moths, case moths
Coleophoridae is a family of small moths in the superfamily Gelechioidea, comprising over 1,000 described species. Adults are slender with fringed wing margins. Larvae are known as case-bearers: they construct portable silken cases, often incorporating plant material or frass, which they carry and rebuild as they grow. The family is most diverse in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly the Palearctic. Approximately 95% of species are placed in the genus Coleophora, though this classification remains problematic due to unresolved phylogenetic relationships.
Cryptocephalina
case-bearer leaf beetles
Cryptocephalina is a subtribe of leaf beetles within the subfamily Cryptocephalinae, commonly known as case-bearer leaf beetles. These beetles are characterized by their distinctive life history: adults possess the ability to retract their head, legs, and antennae into grooves on the body, while larvae construct protective cases from fecal material. The subtribe includes species with highly specialized ecological associations, including myrmecophilous (ant-associated) forms that live within ant nests.
Cryptocephalus australobispinus
Sand Plains Cryptocephalus
Cryptocephalus australobispinus is a case-bearing leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It was described by Riley and Gilbert in 2000. The species is found in North America and is associated with sand prairie habitats. Like other members of the genus, adults likely feed on foliage of host plants and larvae develop in portable cases constructed from fecal material and plant debris.
Dahlica lichenella
Lichen Case-bearer
Dahlica lichenella is a bagworm moth in the family Psychidae, commonly known as the Lichen Case-bearer. The species is native to Europe but has been introduced to North America. Males have a wingspan of 13–16 mm and are active in early spring, while females are flightless and remain within their larval cases throughout their adult lives. Larvae construct small, inconspicuous cases from lichen fragments and other debris, often going unnoticed due to their cryptic appearance.
Dahlica triquetrella
Narrow Lichen Bagworm, Narrow Lichen Case-bearer
Dahlica triquetrella is a small bagworm moth in the family Psychidae, notable for its distinctive triangular larval case and unusual reproductive biology. The species exists in both sexual and parthenogenetic forms, with the latter being far more widespread. Sexual populations are restricted to isolated glacial refugia in Central Europe, while parthenogenetic populations span much of Europe and have been introduced to North America. The species is specialized on lichen-feeding and is often overlooked due to the small size and cryptic appearance of its larval cases.
Homaledra octagonella
Octagonal Casemaker Moth
Homaledra octagonella is a small moth species in the family Pterolonchidae, commonly known as the Octagonal Casemaker Moth. The species was described by Walsingham in 1882. Members of this genus are known for constructing distinctive larval cases from plant material. The family placement has been subject to taxonomic revision, with some sources historically placing it in Coleophoridae.
Hyaloscotes
Hyaloscotes is a genus of bagworm moths in the family Psychidae, described by Butler in 1881. As members of the subfamily Oiketicinae, these moths are characterized by the construction of portable larval cases from silk and environmental materials. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited species-level descriptions and biological data available. Observations on iNaturalist suggest ongoing but infrequent documentation of these insects.
Paraclemensia
maple leafcutter moths
Paraclemensia is a genus of primitive moths in the family Incurvariidae. Larvae are leaf miners that later construct portable cases from cut leaf pieces, earning the common name 'leafcutter' for at least one species. The genus includes species associated with maple (Acer) and, in at least one documented case, with Rosaceae hosts. Most detailed biological information comes from studies of P. acerifoliella, the maple leafcutter.
Paraclemensia acerifoliella
Maple Leafcutter Moth
Paraclemensia acerifoliella is a small moth in the family Incurvariidae, known as the maple leafcutter moth. It is native to North America with a range spanning southeastern Canada, the northeastern United States, and south along the Appalachians to western North Carolina. The species has one generation per year, with adults active in spring. Larvae are leaf miners that later construct portable cases from cut leaf pieces.
Pigritia fidella
Pigritia fidella is a species of concealer moth in the family Stathmopodidae, a group characterized by larvae that construct distinctive portable cases from silk and plant material. The genus Pigritia contains small moths whose biology remains poorly documented. The specific epithet and taxonomic placement suggest affinities with other Pigritia species, though detailed studies are limited. Adults are rarely encountered in field collections.
Psyche casta
Bagworm Moth
Psyche casta is a nocturnal bagworm moth in the family Psychidae. Males are small, winged insects with metallic brown wings, while females are wingless and grub-like. The species exhibits strong sexual dimorphism and is native to the Palearctic region, with introduced populations in North America. Caterpillars construct portable protective cases from grass and plant material.
Psychinae
bagworm moths
Psychinae is a subfamily of bagworm moths within the family Psychidae, established by Boisduval in 1829. The subfamily comprises at least 12 genera. Members are characterized by the construction of portable protective cases from silk combined with plant material, soil particles, or other debris. Larval case-building behavior is the defining trait of this group. Adult males are usually winged, while females are often wingless and remain in their cases.