Capulopsyche keralensis: Bagworm Moth Species
Researchers from the Zoology Department at St. Thomas College Thrissur have discovered the bagworm moth from the coffee plantations of Kerala.
- The newly found bagworm moth species was named Capulopsyche keralensis. Capulo means coffee and psyche means moth or butterfly.
- The name, therefore, translates as ‘Coffee moth of Kerala’ as it was found in coffee plantations.
- Capulopsyche keralensis belongs to the moth family psychidae, which consists of very small moths.
- It is characterized by the case-building behavior of larvae and a high degree of sexual dimorphism.
- Females of many psychid species never develop into a moth and retain larval appearance.
- This is the first genus and species of the subfamily Taleporiinae reported from India.
- The subfamily Taleporiinae is characterized by extreme sexual dimorphism.
- The females are pale yellowish, wingless, with short legs and antennae.
- The larvae of this species were found scraping on the bark of trees, they seem to feed on the bark tissues and depositions (algae) on the bark.
