Saunders' Case Moth at Ulladulla, NSW
Identification history
| Metura elongatus | 5 Aug 2025 | donhe | ||
| Metura elongatus | 5 Aug 2025 | ibaird | ||
| Psychidae (family) IMMATURE | 5 Aug 2025 | NateKingsford | ||
| Unverified | 4 Aug 2025 | Jennybach |
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User's notes
large cocoon ...possibly in place for a long while. had a lichenish appearance but carefully constructed with use of small evenly placed twigs
4 comments
Jennybach
wrote:
5 Aug 2025
Read the reference attached to the metura elongatus identification. Answered my question being, how did they get out of that tiny exit without ruining the cocoon. The mature male looks very strange and very fabulous.
donhe
wrote:
5 Aug 2025
Probably parasitised, or a female. The female stays in the cocoon, and is fertised by a male pushing the prehensile tip of his abdomen through the anal hole in the case. Try cutting the case open, carefully with say nail scissors, and see if there is an inmate. Could be remains of parasitic wasp cocoons in there, or empty pupal skin of a male, or live or mummified female.
Jennybach
wrote:
5 Aug 2025
I’ll try that if it’s still there next time I get down . I noticed a fresher cocoon nearby too. Thanks
donhe
wrote:
6 Aug 2025
Live ones make great house pets, climbing up walls, curtains , etc.
Try putting it by a saucer of weed leaves to eat.
Put some tinsel out for it to put on its case.
Try putting it by a saucer of weed leaves to eat.
Put some tinsel out for it to put on its case.
Location information
- Coordinates 150.467056-35.375675
- Altitude 10.0m
- Places Ulladulla, NSW
Sighting information
- 2 Abundance
- 28 Jul 2025 02:44 PM Recorded on
- Jennybach Recorded by
-
Collections
Jennybach NatureMapr South Coast Metura elongatus Case moths (Psychidae) Moths (Lepidoptera) Insects
Additional information
- casuarina Associated plant
- 50mm or larger Animal size
Species information
- Metura elongatus Scientific name
- Saunders' Case Moth Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Local native
- Non-invasive or negligible
- Up to 819.3m Recorded at altitude
-
Synonyms
Metura elongata Metura elongatus
Record quality
- Images or audio
- More than one media file
- Verified by an expert moderator
- Nearby sighting(s) of same species
- GPS evidence of location
- Description
- Additional attributes