which grows on tree trunks, rocks, old fences, etc. They live in a silken case which they cover in bits of lichen, making a good camouflage. They grow to a case length of about 2 cms.

cut-open case showing Caterpillar inside

The caterpillar has an off-white abdomen, but a brown head and thorax. The head and thorax are protected by a hard chitinous skin, whereas the abdomen has only a soft skin. Normally only the head and thorax are protruded from the case when the caterpillar walks and feeds

Female
(Photo: courtesy of Wendy Moore, Melbourne)

The adult female moth has black wings with yellow wingtips and patches. The black parts of the wings and the body have a metallic blue sheen. She has long legs which make up for the fact that her wings do not expand properly, so she has to walk everywhere.

Female: set specimen with the wings artificially expanded
(Photo: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

The male has a similar pattern and colouring to the female, but has no iridescence. Also, he has fully developed wings, and can fly quite normally.

Male

This species is found :

as well as the southern half of Australia, including

Male
(Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

Further reading :

Ian F.B. Common,
Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, pl. 23.7, p. 179.

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(updated 10 September 2011)