Lomera species
PSYCHIDAE,   TINEOIDEA
 
Don Herbison-Evans
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Stella Crossley

Lomera species
(Photo: courtesy of Robert Gibbon, Vincentia, New South Wales)

This Caterpillar attaches sticks to its silk case, of varying lengths, haphazardly, but approximately parallel to the case axis. The head and thorax are mainly black with some off-white markings.

The caterpillar has appeared to be feeding on

  • Mat Rush ( Lomandra species, ASPARAGACEAE)

    Lomera species
    case with empty pupal skin protruding
    (Photo: courtesy of Robert Gibbon, Vincentia, New South Wales)

    The case grows to a length of up to 4 cms.

    Lomera species
    male
    (Photo: courtesy of Robert Gibbon, Vincentia, New South Wales)

    The adult male moth had a wingspan of about 3 cms. The forewings are black with wide pale translucent margins. It has black antennae, and a hairy pale brown head and thorax.

    Lomera species
    female
    (Photo: courtesy of Robert Gibbon, Vincentia, New South Wales)

    The adult female is wingless. She is dark brown with white spots on the last abdominal segments. She stays in her case after metamorphosis, emitting pheromones to attract males. The males extend their abdomen to copulate with her through the tail end of the case.

    Lomera species
    male showing undersides of wings and extended abdomen
    (Photo: courtesy of Robert Gibbon, Vincentia, New South Wales)

    The species has been found in

  • New South Wales.

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    (written 8 January 2024, updated 15 January 2023)