Case moth

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by charlieb

But fixed?

I'm only guessing, but as they can take up to two years maybe it just fixes itself earlier than usual....

But whats the orange pupal-coloured thing then?

The orange pupal thing I think they drop in readiness to emerge, but I need to read up again on that. Now I must go out to get some of this glorious sunshine!

[JRsbugs]

I took closer pics of the front and side view of the pupal case. If you enlarge them more you will see something I think! The front view seems to show a couple of legs, or I have a good imagination, they look double.

This is what I read on ukmoths,

Shortly before and during pupation, the male case can be recognised by its posterior extension (about 6 mm) of a grey silk sleeve, devoid of plant fragments. After emergence, the pupal exuviae fills and protrudes from the sleeve.

If that is the 'case' then it could be the warm weather we have had, plus being in the greenhouse has triggered imminent emergence! The case isn't grey either, but is the same colour I see elsewhere or maybe it starts grey and turns orange.

Look carefully at the side view, the case looks to be stiched with white waxy stuff, how it would do that I don't know unless it went back in the top and sealed that afterwards. Or is my imagination running away with me!

[JRsbugs]

I posted this elsewhere, it is Psyche casta. The size to the bottom of the case does fit, at 9mm with a 6mm extension. It emerges May to July but it doesn't state on UKmoths when it starts to pupate. I haven't seen anywhere about them making the extended pupal case either.