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21.5136, -87.3751

Species ID Suggestions

Bagworm

Oiketicus kirbyi

Comments (2)

Psychidae/Bagworms, most probably Oiketicus kirbyi. It is quite a pest for several crops in the neotropics. Interesting facts: The female has no antennae and no wings, does not leave the bag (!), is neotenic (also known from the Axolotl), meaning the fertilization occurs in the larval-like (but adult) stage of the female (!) by the male which opens the female's bag for mating. The female at the end is very large due to the mass of eggs (some thousands!). At the end the female drops to the ground and dies, the bag and the eggs remains attached on a leaf or little branch. Just some short info about an exciting, strange and complex behaviour!
This is a great macro! Nice spotting. I think this is a species of Bagworm moth. I am not familiar with the ones in your area, but this should give you a place to start.
Photographed
PublishedAugust 16, 2012

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