Larva casing, Palmarium, Madagascar

Not entirely sure what I found here. My eye happened to fall on this small irregularity on a tree trunk. It looks neatly constructed, yet organic. I figured it is perhaps an Owlfly larva. After flipping it around, it looks to be more like a larva case, with an actual larva peeking out. A bagworm maybe? Even for a bagworm it looks unusual to me. The structure seems too well organized to be constructed from scratch.

comments (9)

Christine Young

Lion

How fantastically weirdly awesome! I think you are probably right in thinking bag/caseworm. Perhaps Psychoides sp. or something in the Tineidae family. Or, maybe Psychidae>Subfamily Naryciinae? But, honestly, I'm not sure. I've never seen the bottom of a case that looks like that! When I first saw the dorsal view, I assumed it was an egg mass until I saw your photos of the ventral side. So weird! Great find, Ferdy! Posted 5 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Maybe you should post it in a moth FB group? Posted 5 years ago
2. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks for confirming weirdness :)
  Already posted it in the FB entomology group, will now also post it in the moth group, thank you.
  
  Did a quick check on the suggested families, still have not yet found a similar casing. Posted 5 years ago
3. 1. Flown Kimmerling
    
    Lion
    
    This is too cool! I'm in agreement about some sort of bag/caseworm! I'm very curious to see what experts say! Posting to BugGuide might get you some hits too! Posted 5 years ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      Looks like Bugguide is US and Canada only? Or do they accept other entries? Posted 5 years ago
    2. 1. Flown Kimmerling
        
        Lion
        
        Hmmmmm. That is a good point. You are totally right! Derp!
        The Insect identification forum on Facebook might be your best bet then. Posted 5 years ago
      2. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Thank you, will try to find that one. Posted 5 years ago
    3. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      Somebody on FB commented it likely is a Hepialidae. Interesting Wikipedia bit:
      
      "The maggot-like larvae feed in a variety of ways. Probably all Exoporia have concealed larvae, making silken tunnels in all manner of substrates." Posted 5 years ago
  3. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    I have been searching too and can't find anything similar. Posted 5 years ago

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