Plantain Gall Weevil vs Snailcase Bagworm

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Plantain Gall Weevil Snailcase Bagworm
Scientific Name Mecinus pyraster Apterona helicoidella
Order Coleoptera Lepidoptera
Family Curculionidae Psychidae
Size 3-4 mm Case about 5-6 mm; male wingspan 10 mm
Habitat Grasslands Grasslands
Diet Gall Makers Omnivores
Regions Europe Europe, Asia Minor, introduced to North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Plantain Gall Weevil

A small cylindrical weevil that causes stem galls on plantain. Larvae develop inside swollen plant stems. An inconspicuous but very common species.

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Did You Know?

Causes distinctive swellings on plantain stems that are easy to find even when the tiny weevil itself is not visible.

Snailcase Bagworm

A tiny bagworm moth whose larva builds a coiled, snail-shell-shaped case from silk and sand grains. It reproduces entirely by parthenogenesis in most of its range.

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Did You Know?

Males are almost never found; most populations consist entirely of females reproducing without mating.