A comparative study of larval cases of Japanese Psychidae (Lepidoptera) (1)

The larvae of Psychidae are so-called bagworms because they conceal themselves each in a case with anterior and posterior openings. Such a case is spun with silk by a larva, and its outer surface is covered with pieces of leaves, twigs, grass stems, mosses and so on. The larval cases vary in size, form and outer covering, so that these features can be used for identification at the genus or species level. In this study, I describe the shape and covering materials of the larval cases for 19 Japanese psychid species, including 5 undescribed ones, of 13 genera. They are smaller-sized, primitive species and their larvae mostly feed on lichen and/or moss.