Case Moth
Scientific Name: Conoeca guildingi
Size: Wingspan 20 to 25mm
What does it look like?
The female Case Moth is grey with darker speckling, hindwings with dark margins, and abdomen banded with yellow and black. Male forewings whitish with darker speckles, hindwings blackish, thorax yellowish and abdomen blackish. Caterpillar patterned brown and whitish on head and front part of body.
Where is it found?
Found in eastern Australia in Qld, NSW, Vic and Tas.
What are its habitats & habits?
The Case moth occurs in various wooded areas, including gardens. Larvae live in tapering case of finely chewed bark, up to 30mm in length, and have been found feeding on myrtles (Myrtaceae), such as Woolly Tea Tree and Kunzea, as well as rushes (Juncaceae) and peas (Fabaceae).
This species features in my book A Naturalist’s Guide to the Insects of Australia
