Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Sand worm
Posted by Muhammad Mahdi on 05-06-2009 22:15
#1
A very small worm like insect living in this samll sand like house(?)
It could take its head out from either end.
App 2mm length of head
Posted by pwalter on 05-06-2009 23:08
#2
Lepidoptera, Psychidae?
Posted by Muhammad Mahdi on 07-06-2009 08:28
#3
Wow. Thanks
Posted by Tony Irwin on 07-06-2009 09:17
#4
I think this is more like Tineidae - being able to turn around in the case is something I know they can do - not sure that Psychidae can do this. Also the shape of the caterpillar is more like Tineidae.
Posted by Muhammad Mahdi on 07-06-2009 21:34
#5
Take yr word for it.
Thanks Tony.
Anyway, just wanted some basic info about the interesting creature.
Posted by Tony Irwin on 07-06-2009 22:21
#6
The narrow body seems to be an adaption to being able to turn round inside their case. The case is partly for camouflage (being made of whatever material they are living on), and also offers some protection against parasites.
A related species -
Tinea pellionella - is the "Case-bearing clothes moth" - a serious pest in museums in Europe, where it eats hair and feathers of stuffed mammals and birds :o, as well as wool carpets and furnishings in old houses.
Posted by Muhammad Mahdi on 08-06-2009 06:30
#7
So once they grow, they come out of their cases and leave them behind?
I have seen many of these empty sand cases around.
Posted by Tony Irwin on 08-06-2009 08:49
#8
Each time they shed their skin, they make the case a bit bigger. Finally they pupate inside it and the adult moth emerges leaving the empty pupal skin behind in the case (sometimes it sticks out of one end). The cases can look as though they are empty - sometimes they will be, but sometimes they contain the resting pupa.