| So... What's a Bagworm? Adult bagworms differ in appearance depending on their gender. Males are black with clear wings while females are whitish in color and do not have wings, antannae, legs, or mouthparts. The females basically stay in their pupation sack even after pupating. In a larva-like state, the female will remain in this bag, laying her eggs inside the bag with her. Reproduction Patterns of Bagworms In the spring, the bagworm eggs hatch and each larva leaves the bag by releasing a thin silk thread and floating down out of the bag. The wind will then carry it to another host plant, where it will attach and start creating its own bag. Using pieces of leaves, twigs, and plant debris, it will construct the bag and attach it to a branch of the host plant. This larva will continue to feed on the host plant, and in turn, continue to add to the material surrounding the silk sack. The larva may move its sack to another spot on the plant or to another host plant if it prefers. Larvae will pupate in September. Several days later, males will emerge in search of females who are still in their bags. The female moth will lay her eggs and then plug the bottom hole to protect the eggs.  Then she will either die in the sac or drop down from the sac and die after reaching the ground. The eggs will spend the winter in the bag before hatching in the spring. Bagworm's Habitat Bagworms inhabit regions of the United States that are east of the Mississippi River. They live in trees and shrubs, and prefer coniferous trees and arborvitae, juniper and cedar. The larvae construct bags and attach themselves to the host plant where they will feed. You can protect your plants by using a product such as Safer® Brand Garden Dust with B.T. This product will eliminate your bagworm problem! Safer®Brand brings you a variety of effective insect control products that are gentler on the environment! Most of them proudly display the OMRI Listed® organic seal and comply for use in organic gardening! |