Adult male bagworm moths from Ukrainian and Baltic Eocene amber (Psychidae, Lepidoptera)

2026/06/19 by Wilfried R. Arnscheid, Axel Hausmann, Carsten Gröhn +1 · 1 voice
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Coleoptera Taxonomy and Distribution #Fossil Insects in Amber #Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy

paper · doi:10.3897/zitteliana.100.197055

openalex publication_date 2026/06/19 · openalex created_date 2026/06/20 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/27

Abstract

Psychid moths from Ukrainian and Baltic amber are described for the first time by male adults. Recognition was possible by their pectinate antennae and reduced mouthparts at first. In combination with further characters, affiliation with the subfamily Psychinae and the extant genus Proutia is established. This affiliation is in accordance with the previous description of a bag belonging to this genus in Baltic amber; three new specimens of such bags with caterpillars are also reported here. Conclusions are drawn on the mode of life of the fossil species by comparison to the extant species.

Discussions

• 🦋 Fossilised psychid moths - commonly known as bagworm moths - have been described from Ukrainian and Baltic amber for the first time using male adults. Full study: doi.org/10.3897/zitteliana.100.197 [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]

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