Liothula omnivora

This species was described by Richard William Fereday in 1878. In 1928 George Hudson placed this species within the Oeceticus genus and amended its epithet to omnivorous. However this was not accepted by other taxonomists. ==Caterpillar and bag==

Like other bagworms, L. omnivora caterpillars construct and live within a small, mobile, tapering bag of silk, which provides camouflage and protection to the caterpillar. The bag is lengthened at the broad or mouth end as the caterpillar grows. The caterpillar secures itself within the bag using hooks on its anterior prolegs, allowing it to extend the head and thorax while dragging the bag behind it. When threatened, it quickly retreats into the bag and draws the mouth tightly closed. The caterpillar itself has a black or brown and white speckled head and thorax, with the remainder of the body being plain brown. Female caterpillars grow larger, with the average bag of pupal females measuring 45 mm compared to pupal male bags averaging 42 mm. As the scientific name suggests, the caterpillars of L. omnivora feed on a very wide range of native and exotic broad-leaved and coniferous shrubs and trees, which they feed on at night. ==Pupa and adult==

Pupation usually occurs during winter. When ready to emerge, the male pupa forces its way to the narrow exit of the bag and extends the front part of the body through the hole. Held in place by spines on the abdomen, the pupa then splits and the adult male emerges. He then clings to the bag while the wings expand and harden. When mating, the male inserts the telescopic end of his abdomen through the narrow end of the female's bag. She lays her eggs within the bag and dies. The caterpillars emerge through the narrow end of the female's bag and disperse via crawling, lowering themselves on silk threads or by wind. ==Parasites==

Liothula omnivora caterpillars are commonly attacked by tachinid flies and also ichneumonid wasps. Tachinids, primarily Pales feredayi and P. marginata, lay their eggs on foliage which are then ingested by the bagworm caterpillar. ==Relationship with humans==

The cocoon produced by the moth is said in Māori belief to have been a transformation of Raukatauri, the Māori goddess of music. and another name given to the insect, pū a Raukatauri or 'flute of Raukatauri'. ==References==