Case-bearing-moth
Guides
Basicladus tracyi
Basicladus tracyi is a species of bagworm moth in the family Psychidae, described by Jones in 1911. As a member of the Psychidae, the larvae construct protective cases from silk and environmental materials. The species is part of the genus Basicladus, which contains North American bagworm moths.
Coleophora discostriata
Coleophora discostriata is a small case-bearing moth in the family Coleophoridae, first described by Walsingham in 1882. It is known from California and other parts of the western United States. The species is associated with oak (Quercus) host plants, with larvae constructing distinctive pistol-shaped cases. Adults are active in mid-summer.
Coleophora laricella
Larch Casebearer Moth, Western Larch Case-bearer
Coleophora laricella is a case-bearing moth native to Central and Northern Europe, where it feeds on European larch (Larix decidua). Introduced to North America in the mid-19th century, it has become a significant invasive pest of Larix species, particularly western larch (L. occidentalis) and tamarack (L. laricina). The species produces one generation annually, with larvae that mine inside larch needles and construct portable cases from hollowed-out foliage. Severe infestations can reduce annual tree growth by 97% after five years, causing substantial economic losses and increasing host susceptibility to secondary pests and diseases.
Coleophora latronella
Coleophora latronella is a case-bearing moth in the family Coleophoridae, described by McDunnough in 1940. The species is known from eastern Canada, with records from Nova Scotia. Its larvae are seed-feeders on Juncus (rush) species and construct distinctive trivalved, tubular silken cases.
Coleophora ledi
Coleophora ledi is a small case-bearing moth (family Coleophoridae) with a wingspan of 10–13 mm. It has a trans-Holarctic distribution, occurring across northern Eurasia from Fennoscandia to Japan, and in North America in eastern Canada, Michigan, and Alaska. The species is notable for its larval specialization on Ericaceae shrubs, particularly Ledum and Chamaedaphne species.
Coleophora quadrilineella
Coleophora quadrilineella is a case-bearing moth in the family Coleophoridae, first described by Chambers in 1878. The species is known from the United States, with records from Kentucky and Manitoba, Canada. Larvae are seed-feeders on Juncus (rush) species, constructing distinctive tubular silken seed cases.
Coleophora tiliaefoliella
A case-bearing moth in the family Coleophoridae. Larvae construct distinctive pistol-shaped cases from silk and plant material. The species is associated with Tilia (basswood/linden) host plants across parts of eastern North America.