Saunder’s Case Moth Cocoon

Metura elongatus

This cocoon was on a post at the start of the Little Blue Gum Creek walk. It’s large, about 15cm long, with sticks woven into the sides. I remember seeing many like this when I was growing up but had never known what animal made them.

Saunder’s Case Moth Cocoon at the start of the Little Blue Gum Creek boardwalk.

A quick search pointed to it being a Saunder’s Case Moth cocoon. During their caterpillar phase case moths make their cocoons out of silk, most species attach sticks, leaves or other debree as camouflage. Each species had a distinct type of cocoon, but they are also constrained by available materials so even within a single species cases can vary in materials and appearance.

Cocoon close up, I wonder how they break up the sticks.

Case moths don’t just use the cocoon to metamorphose, they live there throughout their Caterpillar phase which lasts 1 - 2 years. Even after changing to a moth the females continue to use it as a home.

Resources and references

• Museum Victoria
• Atlas of Living Australia
• Wikipedia

• Caterpillar
• Lane Cove National Park
• Metura Elongatus
• Moth
• Native
• Saunders Case Moth