009 Luffia lapidella

11.009 Luffia lapidella (Grey Bagworm)

Only the apterous female occurs in most of UK, but the winged male occurs in Cornwall; Jun-Jul; common in S.England.
Synonym: Luffia ferchaultella

Luffia ferchaultella §1 female (deceased)

ID: Assuming this is a distinct species, then only the parthenogenetic female occurs. (L.lapidella occurs in Cornwall only and has both sexes present). The larval case is rounded in cross-section and 5-7mm in length and covered with green and/or black lichens and minerals. Pupation, emergence and egg-laying all occur within the larval case. According to MBGBI2 the adult has antennae with 6-8 segments and legs with 1-3 tarsal segments (7-9 and 3-4 respectively in female L.lapidella) - however §1 appears to have 10 antennal segments, 3 fore and midtarsal segments and 4 hindtarsal segments, so I think the information in MBGBI2 is incorrect and that the number of antennal and tarsal segments stated therein cannot be used to reliably distinguish female L.ferchaultella from L.lapidella.

Dissection

Immature stages

Female genitalia
The ovipositor could not be any longer - before extension the anterior ends of the posterior apophyses were located in the head. Note that S10 also has a paired linear sclerotisation, fused at its anterior end, somewhat resembling an additional pair of apohyses - presumably these provide some extra rigidity to aid oviposition.

§1 Westcliff-on-sea, Essex; larval case potted early May; adult found deceased (with pupal case full of ova) 29/06/2018
§2 Westcliff-on-sea, Essex; larval case potted early May; adult found deceased (with pupal case full of ova) 29/06/2018
Larva and 1st larval case 21/04/2018; 2nd larval case 22/05/2018
All images © Chris Lewis

Page published 03/07/2018 (§1&2)