Psyche casta is a nocturnal moth from the family Psychidae, the bagworm moths. The wingspan of the males ranges from 12 to 15 millimeters. They have hairy, brown-metallic shiny wings. The grub-like females have legs but do not have wings and are yellowish or light brown, except for some dark brown back plates.

Psyche casta
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Psychidae
Genus: Psyche
Species:
P. casta
Binomial name
Psyche casta
(Pallas, 1767)
newly emerged male
Female

The host plants are from the groups: Poaceae, birch, willow, poplar and Vaccinium. The caterpillars make a protective hull from grass.

The flight time ranges from May to July.

Originally from the Old World, they have been introduced in North America.[1]

References

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  1. ^ "Species Psyche casta - Common Bagworm Moth - Hodges#0437". Bugguide.net.
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