Apterona helicoidella
Snailcase bagworm | |
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Case | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Psychidae |
Genus: | Apterona |
Species: | A. helicoidella
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Binomial name | |
Apterona helicoidella (Vallot, 1827)
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Synonyms | |
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Apterona helicoidella (snailcase bagworm) is a
In southern Europe, subspecies with two sexes exist with small males with light grey wings. This subspecies is called Apterona helicoidella crenulella.[1] North of the Alps the species is
Not surprisingly, the case of a snailcase bagworm, resembles a small snail about 4 mm in diameter with coloration similar to the soil. The larvae are greenish or reddish gray with a black head that protrudes from the case to feed.
Though the snailcase bagworm doesn't cause damage to related species such as the evergreen bagworm, they are a nuisance to humans by attaching to the sides of homes and buildings. Once the larvae are full-grown and moving to pupate, they cannot be controlled with insecticides. The best way to keep them off the sides of buildings is by using temporary barriers like sticky tape or flanges. They can be knocked off buildings with a strong spray of water before they attach. After they are attached, removal is difficult.
They consume small areas of a leaf surface, rarely causing significant damage, though it has been found to feed on most vegetables, ornamentals, legumes, fruit and other trees, and many species of annual herbs. Reported food plants include Potentilla neumanniana, Erodium cicutarium, Teucrium, Artemisia vulgaris, Helianthemum nummularium and Alyssum montanum.
Sources
References
- ISBN 9788788757989. Retrieved 26 September 2018.