MOTHS OF BELIZE
SPECIES LISTS BY FAMILY
1. Psychidae

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The Psychidae ('Bagworm Moths') consist of about 600 species worldwide, of which only 100 are found in the New World. The New World species have been monographed by Davis (1964). Adults can be 50 mm or more in wingspan (the so-called 'macropsychina') or below 10 mm in wingspan (the so-called 'micropsychina') but are usually jet black or very dark in wing coloration, often with extensive scale loss leading to clear patches. The larvae are often destructive pests of trees and tree crops and spin characteristic 'bags' which hang from threads attached to trees and shrubs - the derivation of their common name of 'bagworms'. Adult females often do not leave the bag after hatching from the pupa within, but are wingless and sometimes even legless.

I have taken two species of this family in Belize so far, as listed below - please click on any underlined species names to go to a colour illustration of the adult (and sometimes its genitalia) and brief information on the species.


Oiketicus kirbyi Guilding 1827
Genus & species indet.

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