Bug Identifier
Bagworm Moth Larva
Community identification

Bagworm Moth Larva

Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Order & Family
Lepidoptera: Psychidae
Size
1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) as mature larvae
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found on a wide variety of trees and shrubs, particularly evergreens like cedar and arborvitae, but also deciduous trees.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivorous, feeding on the needles or leaves of host plants, which can cause significant defoliation.

Behavior Patterns

The larva constructs a protective case or 'bag' made of silk and pieces of the plants it feeds on. It carries this bag as it moves and feeds, eventually pupating inside it.

Risks & Benefits

Often considered a pest in landscapes due to the damage they cause to ornamental trees and shrubs. They do not pose a direct health risk to humans.