Case-bearing-larvae
Guides
Agrypnia
Agrypnia is a genus of caddisflies in the family Phryganeidae, established by Curtis in 1835. Larvae construct portable protective cases and have been observed modifying their behavior based on case quality and availability. The genus is distributed across northern Europe and parts of North America. Most available literature on 'Agrypnia' refers to a human sleep disorder (agrypnia excitata), not this insect genus.
Exema
warty leaf beetles
Exema is a genus of warty leaf beetles in the tribe Fulcidacini, subfamily Cryptocephalinae. These small beetles (2–3 mm) are renowned for their remarkable fecal mimicry—when disturbed, they retract their head, legs, and antennae into grooves, resembling caterpillar frass. The genus occurs worldwide with at least 9 species in North America. Exema species have been documented on Asteraceae hosts including gray-headed coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) and sweet coneflower (Rudbeckia subtomentosa). Larvae are case-bearing, constructing protective cases from their own feces.
Exema deserti
Exema deserti is a species of warty leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Pierce in 1940. It belongs to the tribe Chlamisini, commonly known as warty leaf beetles, which are characterized by their remarkable mimicry of caterpillar frass. The species is found in Central America and North America.
Exema dispar
warty leaf beetle
Exema dispar is a species of warty leaf beetle in the tribe Chlamisini, known for remarkable mimicry of caterpillar frass. Adults are small (2–3 mm), compact beetles with a rough, warty exoskeleton that closely resembles the size, shape, texture, and coloration of lepidopteran larval droppings. When disturbed, the beetle retracts its head and folds legs and antennae into precisely matched grooves, eliminating any visible beetle-like features. This species has been observed on Asteraceae plants including gray-headed coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) and sweet coneflower (Rudbeckia subtomentosa).
Exema elliptica
warty leaf beetle
Exema elliptica is a species of warty leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Karren in 1966. It belongs to the tribe Chlamisini, commonly known as warty leaf beetles, which are characterized by their remarkable feces-mimicry defense. The species is found in North America, though specific details about its biology and host associations remain poorly documented.
Exema gibber
warty leaf beetle
Exema gibber is a species of warty leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, native to North America. As a member of the tribe Chlamisini, it exhibits remarkable frass-mimicry camouflage, retracting its head, legs, and antennae into body grooves when disturbed to resemble caterpillar droppings. The species measures approximately 2–3 mm in length and has been observed feeding on Asteraceae plants, including gray-headed coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) and sweet coneflower (Rudbeckia subtomentosa).
Exema mormona
warty leaf beetle
Exema mormona is a species of warty leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, described by Karren in 1966. It belongs to the tribe Chlamisini, whose members are known for their remarkable mimicry of caterpillar frass. The species occurs in North America, though specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented in published literature.
Exema neglecta
warty leaf beetle
Exema neglecta is a species of warty leaf beetle in the tribe Chlamisini, subfamily Cryptocephalinae. Adults are small, measuring approximately 2–3 mm in length. The species exhibits remarkable frass-mimicry, resembling caterpillar droppings in size, shape, texture, and coloration. When disturbed, the beetle retracts its head, legs, and antennae into precisely matched grooves, completing the illusion of inanimate debris. This species is found in North America.
Fulcidacini
Warty Leaf Beetles
Fulcidacini is a tribe of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) within the subfamily Cryptocephalinae, historically treated as the distinct subfamily Chlamisinae. The tribe comprises 11 genera and approximately 400 species, with roughly 80% of species occurring in the Neotropics. Members are commonly known as warty leaf beetles due to their distinctive appearance and are characterized by case-bearing larvae that construct protective cases from fecal material.
Hyaloscotes fumosa
Hyaloscotes fumosa is a species of bagworm moth in the family Psychidae, described by Butler in 1881. As a member of the Oiketicinae subfamily, it belongs to a group of moths whose larvae construct portable cases from silk and environmental materials. The genus Hyaloscotes is characterized by males with reduced, non-functional mouthparts and females that are typically wingless or have vestigial wings. The specific epithet 'fumosa' (smoky) likely refers to coloration characteristics of the adult male.
Nemophora
fairy longhorn moths
Nemophora is a genus of micro-moths in the family Adelidae, commonly known as fairy longhorn moths. Species are characterized by metallic coloration and exceptionally long antennae, particularly in males. The genus is distributed across Europe, Asia, and other regions, with species occupying diverse habitats including meadows, peat bogs, and gardens. Several species have specialized larval host plant associations and are considered indicators of well-preserved traditional habitats.
Neochlamisus gibbosus
warty leaf beetle
Neochlamisus gibbosus is a species of warty leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae, found in Central and North America. The species exhibits remarkable frass-mimicry as adults, with a compact, humped body that closely resembles caterpillar excrement. Females lay single eggs covered in frass, forming bell-shaped protective coverings. Larvae are case-bearing, constructing portable cases from their own feces and attaching them to host plants during molting. When threatened, both adults and larvae release a yellow defensive liquid. The species has been studied in detail from populations on Rubus laudatus in Kansas.
Neochlamisus platani
sycamore leaf beetle
Neochlamisus platani, commonly known as the sycamore leaf beetle, is a small leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. Adults are bronze to brown in color with a rough, bumpy exoskeleton that provides camouflage against bark and debris. The species is tightly associated with its host plant, the American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), where it feeds, mates, and oviposits. Both adults and larvae consume sycamore foliage, and heavy infestations can reduce foliage mass and damage ornamental value.
Neochlamisus velutinus
warty leaf beetle
Neochlamisus velutinus is a species of warty leaf beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. It is found in Central America and North America. Like other members of the tribe Chlamisini, it exhibits remarkable frass-mimicry, resembling caterpillar excrement when disturbed.
Psyche
bagworm moths
Psyche is a genus of bagworm moths in the family Psychidae, established by Schrank in 1801. The genus name derives from the Greek word for 'soul' or 'mind.' Larvae construct portable cases from silk and environmental materials such as plant debris, sand, or soil particles. Adults are typically small to medium-sized moths with reduced mouthparts; females of many species are wingless.
Siederia
Siederia is a genus of small bagworm moths in the family Psychidae, established by Meier in 1953. The genus was erected to accommodate species previously placed in the large, polyphyletic 'wastebin genus' Solenobia, which is now recognized as a junior synonym of Taleporia. Siederia species are classified in the subfamily Naryciinae, though some authorities place them in Taleporiinae if Naryciinae is not considered sufficiently distinct. The genus contains approximately eight described species distributed primarily in the Palearctic region.
Taleporiinae
Taleporiinae is a subfamily of bagworm moths (Psychidae) characterized by larvae that construct portable protective cases from silk and environmental materials. Members of this subfamily exhibit diverse case architectures, including the double-walled larval cases documented in some genera. The subfamily was established by Herrich-Schäffer in 1857 and contains multiple genera distributed across various regions.