Redbud Leaffolder Moth (Fascista cercerisella) forming its Leaf Shelter

This was a really cool thing to watch! A moth larva in the process of building a leaf shelter. It fastens each side of the leaf together with silk from modified salivary glands. The leaf pictured here is its host plant, Cercis canadensis.

comments (7)

Christine Young

Lion

Ohhhh! Wow, I love this! How awesome that you got to watch it! Posted 5 years ago
1. Flown Kimmerling
  
  Lion
  
  It was surprisingly fast, Christine! I was in awe! I wish I would have thought to video it! Posted 5 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    Really, wow! Insects are amazing <3. Posted 5 years ago
  2. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Super cool, Lisa! Reminds of this (crappy video included):
    
    Not trying to steal your thunder! Posted 5 years ago, modified 5 years ago
  3. 1. Flown Kimmerling
      
      Lion
      
      Not stealing my thunder at all, Ferdy! Thank you for sharing your similar observation! They look like they might be distantly related? Posted 5 years ago, modified 5 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Yes they look really very similar, almost identical even. Posted 5 years ago

Pudding4brains

Lion

Awesome single shot "mini documentary", Lisa! :o) Posted 5 years ago

The Redbud Leaffolder

''Fascista cercerisella'' is a moth of the family Gelechiidae. It is found in the United States from Pennsylvania and Maryland, south to Florida, west to Texas, north to Kansas.

The wingspan is 13–16 mm. Adults are on wing from April to October in the south. The flight season is shorter in the northern part of the range. There is one generation per year in the north, possibly two in the south.

Info 4 0

Similar species: Moths And Butterflies

Species identified by Flown Kimmerling