MOTHS OF JAMAICA
SPECIES LISTS BY FAMILY
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 catalogued only two species of this family from Jamaica so far, as listed below -
both records taken from Davis (1975) who reviews the West Indian Psychidae and
lists three further un-named species from Jamaica. Click on any underlined species
names to go to a colour
illustration of the adult, where available,
and brief information on
the species.
The genus Oiketicus
Oiketicus kirbyi Guilding 1827
The genus Paucivena
Paucivena reticulata Davis 1975
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