This Caterpillar initially attaches four sticks around its case, all of the same length, and attaches them at right angles to the axis of the case. When the Caterpillar grows sufficiently long, it attaches a new set similarly arranged to the old set, except that they are slightly longer, so that the radius of the new part of the case is bigger, and they are set twisted a few degrees anticlockwise to the previous four.

(Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

The Caterpillar does this perhaps a dozen times as it grows, giving a left-handed corkscrew appearance to the case. The case can grow to a length of up to 3 cms.

(Photo: courtesy of Neil Hewett , Cooper Creek Wilderness, Queensland)

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(updated 22 April 2011)