Species Phereoeca uterella - Household Casebearer - Hodges#0390

0390

Plaster Bagworm

Phereoeca uterella (Walsingham, 1897)

Tineola uterella Walsingham, 1897 (1)

Tinea pachyspila Meyrick, 1905

Tineola oblitescens Meyrick, 1924

Tinea barysticta Meyrick, 1927

Tinea dubitatrix Meyrick, 1932

Tineola walsinghami Busck, 1934

Phereoeca postulata Gozmány, 1967

Phylogenetic sequence #300141

Specific epithet from Latin uter meaning "a bag of hide, water skin" for the larva's "bladder-shaped case composed of silk and grains of sand." (1)

The only species in this genus in North America.

Wingspan 7-13 mm, females larger than males. (2)

Mature larva about 7 mm; larval case 8-14 mm. (2)

Adult - forewing gray with up to four spots and a brush of long, lighter gray hair-like scales along inner margin of hindwing; males are smaller, thinner, and have a less distinctive wing pattern than females.

Larva - larval case is slender, flat, fusiform, or spindle-shaped, resembling the seed of a cantaloupe or pumpkin.

Southern United States, south as far as Brazil. (2)

Larval cases can be found on wool rugs and wool carpets, hanging on curtains, or under buildings, hanging from subflooring, joists, sills and foundations; also found on exterior of buildings in shaded places, under farm sheds, under lawn furniture, on stored farm machinery, and on tree trunks.

Larvae feed on old spider webs; may also eat woolen goods of all kinds if the opportunity arises. (2)

See Featured Creatures in Internet References. (2)

Walsingham, T. de Grey. 1897. Revision of the West-Indian Micro-Lepidoptera with descriptions of new species. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 1897: 165. (1)

Moth Photographers Group

Featured Creatures

Thomas de Grey Walsingham (Wikipedia)