Learn to identify and control this pest before it destroys your favorite plants
Easily one of the most asked - aboutpestsare bagworms . The evergreen bagworm ( Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis ) is an louse that make distinctive spindle - work cup of tea during its larval microscope stage . If leave behind uncontrolled , larval alimentation can conduce to considerable defoliation of many major garden flora . It can also make “ bronzing ” of trees in which formerly gullible surgical incision become brown and dead . Bagworms mostly eat on evergreen tree , but deciduous Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree can also be targets . In the Southeast , bagworms are specially lovesome of junipers ( Juniperusspp . and cvs . , Zones 2–10 ) , cedar ( Cedrusspp . and cvs . , Zones 5–9 ) , Leyland cypress tree trees ( Cuprocyparis leylandii , geographical zone 6–10 ) , pines ( Pinusspp . and cvs . , Zones 2–9 ) , and arborvitaes ( Thujaspp . and cvs . , Zones 2–8 ) . They even show up on Japanese maple ( Acerpalmatumand cvs . , Zones 5–9 ) and other maples ( Acerspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) from time to time . In my experience , arborvitaes are toward the top of their inclination . Because arborvitaes are used extensively for accents and in screening , gardener in the Southeast motivation to be cognizant of this potentially damaging pest .
The life cycle of a bagworm
The good news ( if there is any ) is that there is only one generation of bagworms per class . bollock overwinter every year in the bags of female bagworms . There can be one C of eggs in every bag . In the Southeast , eggs can hatch as early as April . After think up , larvae go right to work creating silken shelters and wipe out the foliation of their host industrial plant . At this stage , bagworms are not stuck in spot . They are highly wandering in their search for nutrient . As the larvae grow , so does the grip they carry in search of food for thought . Their bag act as shelter and aegis in this stage . When vex , they will withdraw into their old bag . During the late stages of development ( August in the Southeast ) , the larvae permanently secure their bags to a branch and transform into pupae . This appendage unremarkably lasts 7 to 10 days . The male moths egress about a month after they pupate . Male bagworm moth are a raunchy blackish Brown University and have haired bodies and well-defined backstage . The female never leaves the old bag . After union , bollock are deposited within the abdomen of the female before she dies . What a life !
When to treat bagworms
The direction of bagworms is look at moderately difficult . Scouting on susceptible species is the most important footprint in controlling bagworms . Looking for udder in the fall and early winter and handpicking them are the most important steps . soakage udder in soapy water supply for several time of day before disposal to kill eggs . You should also begin wait for them in May and June when they start to be participating . This is a good clip to bug out treating them . The bigger you let the bagworms get , the harder they are to control , and the more damage occurs .
How to treat bagworms
There are parasitic wasps known to round these pests . you could increase the mien of these wasps by implant a variety of flowering plant near highly susceptible host plants . Bt ( Bacillus thuringiensis ) spray can work during the young larval stages . Bt is a bacterium that is nontoxic to humans and animals . Neem oil and Spinosad have also show to be effective against bagworms . Hand removal of bags , as previously stated , is also an option . As a last resort , you may use systemic insecticides as long as you know from a proper extension service diagnosing that you are regale the proper pest and follow the statement carefully ; however , systemic insect powder are not without health and environmental risk .
Educate yourself
Bagworms are native to North America . They mostly occur in the eastern and southeast United States . When there is a heavy infestation , they often go unnoticed until extensive damage has been done to ornamental plants . Again , scouting for bags in the fall and larvae in the belated spring is the keystone to controlling them . Bagworms have natural vulture , and their population fluctuate from twelvemonth to year . In the home landscape painting , the mintage of greatest concern are evergreen plant conifers that might have a strong time recuperate if defoliate .
For more on controlling regional blighter , jibe out :
And for more Southeast regional reports , click here .
— Andy Pulte is a faculty member in the flora sciences department at the University of Tennessee .
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Bagworms create distinctive bags around their bodies using their own silk and materials from the plant they are eating. These bags can appear conical early in the year and more diamond-shaped as the season progresses.Photo: John Ghent, Bugwood.org
Bagworm larvae may be visible early in the season. They are black with while markings and look like small grubs.Photo: Gerald J. Lenhard, Louisiana State University, Bugwood.org
This sweetgum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua, Zones 5–9) has been significantly defoliated by bagworms, and their diamond-shaped bags are visible.Photo: Jason Reeves
