Cebysa leucotelus

The Australian bagmoth (Cebysa leucotelus) or lichen bag moth is a moth of the Psychidae family. It is found in New Zealand and the southern half of Australia (Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia).

Larva in case

Female lichen bag moth, with underdeveloped wings.

Cebysa leucotelus
Female
Male
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Psychidae
Genus:	Cebysa
Species:	C. leucotelus
Binomial name
Cebysa leucotelus (Walker, 1854)
Synonyms
Pitane dilecta Walker, 1854 Sezeris conflictella Walker, 1863 Oecinea scotti Scott, 1864 Cebysa leucoteles Meyrick, 1912

The larvae build a protective bag like the other bag moths in the family Psychidae, and feed on lichen and algae.^[1]

Lichen bag moths arrived in New Zealand from Australia in 1981 and have been gradually spreading across the country.^[1]