Bagworm is a caterpillar that molts into a moth in the adult stage. Cases can be found on wool rugs and wool carpets, hanging on curtains, or underneath buildings, hanging from subflooring, joists, sills and foundations; on the exterior of buildings in shaded places, under farm sheds, under lawn furniture, on stored farm machinery and on tree trunks. After a month-long metamorphosis process, the moths will ditch their casing and search for males to mate. The bagworm is most common in southern regions of Pennsylvania. Kea JW. And dont release pressure at any point. So if you have wool clothing or furniture, you should be careful. To keep the leaves from blowing away in the wind, put a bunch of them into a nylon sock and tape the sock to the walls around your home. The entire cycle from egg to adult averages 74.2 days (62 to 86 days). Plaster bagworms mainly survive on wool and spiderwebs. Youll have to reapply the tape when it loses its stickiness. Abandoned webs are one of the prime food sources of bagworms. However, another name change occurred and the current official common and scientific names for this species are the household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham. 1003 pp. CRC Press. After mating, females lay their eggs on crevices and the junction of walls and floors, cementing them on debris. You can also spray dish soap, vinegar, or essential oils for a residual effect. But follow the manufacturers directions. Many species in this family are casebearers and a few are indoor pests of hair fibers, woolens, silks, felt and similar materials. In 1933, August Busck proposed the name Tineola walsinghami for the Virgin Island insects of Walsingham. Bulletin No. When disturbed, it encloses itself in the case by pulling the bottom side up. When used properly, you can kill bagworms in just 48 hours after spraying. Microlepidoptera of Cuba. The ventral prolegs are white, and are located on abdominal segments 3 to 6 and 10. However, we usually see only the empty larval or pupal cases of the household casebearer on walls of houses in south and central Florida. Before eclosion the pupa pulls itself halfway through the valve. The antennae are filiform (threadlike), as long as the wings, and are held back over the body. Bagworm cocoons ('bags') dangling from trees. They mate during the peak season and the larvae will overwinter in their bags so they survive the winter. Up to 200 eggs can be deposited over a single week. The tunnel is closed beneath by the larva to form a tube free from the substrate, and open at both ends. Plaster bagworm life cycle Bagworms have a two-part life cycle. pp. Theyre likely a different species altogether, but heres a tip. Thats just a waste of time, and probably impossible. The eggs are small and look like pale-bluish seeds that are stuck on surfaces, usually in a dark area or hidden from view. Dont worry. 1956. Start out with what you have available in your home already (the easiest ways), then move on to the harder ones assuming that you still have plaster bagworms crawling around your house. Also, there are many different types of sticky tapes and sticky traps you can use. First, manually remove all the bagworm larvae you can see in your home. Bagworms eggs look like pale blue seeds and are usually cemented onto walls with debris or silk. These little buggers have some other common names: Because the household casebearer and the plaster bagworms are so alike, theres a lot of confusion between the two species. Aiello (1979) succeeded in rearing specimens of the related species Phereoeca allutella by offering them dead mosquitoes and her own hair. Like any other nuisance bug, plaster bagworms move into homes to find food and shelter. They have two long visible antennas and a wingspan of about 12mm in length. 200 eggs may be laid by a single female over a period of a week, after which she dies. For spiderwebs, clean your house regularly. Bagworms arent exactly as pleasant as a butterfly, but theyre not too difficult to get rid of. Dish soap does indeed kill plaster bagworms and can be used as a home remedy for a pesticide. Make a soap water mixture and then grab an old sponge that youre about to throw out. Theres no limit to where the cases are found. The bagworm nest is made of silk, twigs, and bits of leaves. The larvae of the species of Tineidae of economic importance. Entomologica Americana 13: 151203. The complete life cycle of plaster bagworms contains 6-7 instars and takes about 40-50 days to complete. They can show up in huge numbers rapidly if you dont start a pest management program. These pests thrive in humid environments. And they may also attack shrubs. 1979. This closing mechanism is very difficult to open from the outside. Moths are attracted to light, especially at night when your outdoor lights are the only thing that lights up the evening sky. If you have a pest problem thats not covered here, feel free to contact me and let me know. However, another name change occurred and the current official common and scientific names for this species are the household casebearer, Phereoeca uterellaWalsingham. Household Pests. Control of three household insects. That said, these bugs can cause a lot of damage around your house. 1954. until they pupate. 1997. If you have a part of your house thats not insulated or cooled, consider taking steps to change that. Bagworms overwinter as eggs in the bag of the mother. Youre getting rid of plaster bagworms by getting rid of OTHER pests first. The remaining mouth parts are reduced, and adults do not feed. You can buy one at a hardware store or online and position it somewhere where you always see moth activity. The wind will then carry it to another host plant, where it will attach and start creating its own bag. Luckily, these bugs will typically leave your cotton and nylon alone.
Evergreen Bagworm Moth | Missouri Department of Conservation The fully developed larva is about 7 mm long. However, regular cleaning practices, increased use of air conditioning in houses, and reduced number of woolen goods in this part of the country, along with pesticide application in cracks and crevices for household pest control, have decreased the incidence of the household casebearer. They fly fairly well, but usually rest on walls, floor edges, or on webs of house spiders (theridiids) (Aiello 1979). The cases are constructed by the larval (caterpillar) stage and often attract attention when found in homes.
Bagworms: Identification, Tree Damage, Eradication (With Pictures) But when woolen threads and woolen cloth were offered to the larvae "they ate eagerly". Be sure to use the right food for the right bird species.
Plaster Bagworm (Phereoeca spp) - FDL Pest Control Solutions Pay special attention to dusty cabinets and bookshelves. Youll need to get a lengthy object with a pointed end to make punctures. It was found in Gainesville, Florida, and has been recorded as present in the southern contiguous US, Hawaii, Mexico, Bermuda, Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Europe, Africa, Malaya, Australia, and other localities. The key is to push down firmly on the sponge and go downward in a single motion. until they pupate. Pupa: Pupation occurs inside the case. I may be able to help you out! The most identifying characteristic is the bag for which it gets its namesake! Bagworm cocoons are the nests where the caterpillars live. Its a chain reaction, but a catch-22 at the same time. For example,Phereoeca allutella(Rebel) has been recorded in Hawaii, Panama, Canary Islands, Madeira, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, India, Java and Samoa. It probably wont move anywhere, but may nudge or flinch. The household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella, is a moth in the Tineidae family of Lepidoptera. But when you only see ONE end, such as when it hangs from your ceiling, its not pupating yet and the caterpillar still can come out and move around. Furthermore, household casebearer larvae did not eat cotton products offered by Kea. Hinton HE. They dont scavenge for the same things as cockroaches and other common pests, so theyre free to live in their own little bubble undetected. You only want to pass the sponge edges over the eggs and push them off- dont CRUSH them. So they have both a crawling and flying phase. The inside of the arch is lined exclusively by silk, and is gradually extended to form a tunnel, while the larva stays inside. Finally, stick to a routine vacuuming schedule. Plaster bagworms arent picky about their food source and will eat any organic matter left behind. If you have bagworm infestations in your trees, this is likely a different type of species- not a plaster bagworm. The females cement the eggs to surfaces with a mixture of debris. The entire cycle from egg to adult averages 74.2 days (62 to 86 days). They dont actually eat plaster and only get their name because theyre commonly found in plaster, walls, and hanging from the ceiling. Observations on species of Lepidoptera infesting stored products.
Bagworms | The Morton Arboretum If you dont suspect that you have a severe bagworm problem and that theyre just concentrated in one area, try manual removal. If youre doing this outdoors, youll have to reapply often because of the elements. Hetrick (1957) found that the most common and abundant food of the household casebearer in Florida is old spider webs, consumed in large quantities. Manual picking or vacuuming of cases and spider web removal should be enough to keep this species under control. And if you found this page helpful, consider telling a friend or just letting me know. Once the caterpillar becomes a moth, these bugs can create even more issues. Here are some additional references you may find helpful: You should now have a solid foundation of knowledge to go ahead manage, control, and eradicate plaster bagworms from your property. Finally, an early synonym established by Meyrick was recognized as the most appropriate name, and the species was named Phereoeca dubitatrix (Meyrick 1932). Gently stir until you see the suds appear. He also assumed that this species might be present in the coastal areas of Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. At non-air-conditioned room temperature in Panama, the life cycle of Phereoeca uterella (a close relative of Phereoeca dubitatrix) was reported by Aiello (1979) as follows: Eggs require more than 10 days to hatch. Hetrick LA. Cases can be found on wool rugs and wool carpets, hanging on curtains, or underneath buildings, hanging from subflooring, joists, sills and foundations; on the exterior of buildings in shaded places, under farm sheds, under lawn furniture, on stored farm machinery and on tree trunks. If spiders have nothing to eat, then they wont spin a web. Arnett Jr RH. Survival is the main priority, and houses provide everything that they need to prosper. Go ahead and mix a bucket full of water and a few drops of dish soap. They remain in the pupal stage an average of 15.6 days (range of 11 to 23 days). It is commonly known as the plaster bagworm but as the term "bagworm" more properly refers to moths of a different family ( Psychidae ), it is often called the household casebearer - which may in turn refer to the related Phereoeca allutella. Or just seal up those cracks with caulk to prevent further pests from sheltering there. Were happy to help. After it pupates into a moth, the adult moth can fly and will abandon the empty case. Insect Management Guide for Bagworms and Clothes Moths (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IG090). Plaster Bagworm 6,145 views May 5, 2021 Phereoeca uterella is a species of moth belonging to the family Tineidae. Then, hang nylon socks with moth repellents like herbs and spices and tape them to the areas with heavy infestations. They are easiest to identify by the bags they construct as they feed. Eventually, the plaster bagworm becomes a moth. Consider keeping spiders out of your property by using a variety of home control remedies: The best way to prevent spiders is to keep your home free of pests. Watson (1939) corroborated the preference of Pjerepeca uterella for woolen goods of all kinds. Theres no single method that always works. And if you have any questions, just leave a comment and Ill get back to you. There are six to seven larval instars that require about 50 days to mature. There are two pairs of buccal appendages called palps. If youre trying to get rid of plaster bagworms, consider cranking up the AC a bit more than normal. Use a vacuum cleaner or dish soap to dislodge them and get rid of them. Aiello A. Moth eggs on your walls can be ridden by using a wet sponge dipped in soapy water. Always empty your vacuum bags or dump out the canister.
Bagworm | Horticulture and Home Pest News - Iowa State University American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico.
Plaster bagworm, the destructive household pest This will help deter and repel bagworms naturally. I cant sleep. Your email address will not be published. Theyre not as bad as dust mites and cockroaches, but allergy-sufferers can still feel the effects of their presence. 1989.
Introduction to Evergreen Bagworm Moths - ThoughtCo It can also be harmful to humans, so use proper PPE and follow manufacturer directions. The adults mate around the same time, which means the larvae eggs are deposited simultaneously. Also, dont try to attract some bird species that are not native to your area. Reviewed June 2020. Manual removal takes time, but this is one way to clear out a room full of bags. These little buggers are truly an interesting pest with their distinct life phase and a big old case they lug around behind them. Regardless, theyre not something most homeowners will welcome with an embracing hug into their homes, so take measures to get rid of them. One end of the case is then modified. The plaster bagworm often is confused with the household casebearer. Kea (1933) could not observe this insect feeding on dried insects in the laboratory, even though small portions of dried insects were found attached to its case. However, the specimens that he collected from the Virgin Islands were misidentified. Try a few of them out and see what works best for you.
household casebearer - Phereoeca uterella Walsingham Upon hatching, the entire lifecycle of the plaster bagworm can be completed in about 2-3 months. Entomol. 1933. Toss them right into the mixture, which will kill them upon contact, and repeat until you see no more bags on your roof! Birds are also an effective means of managing bagworm populations. Plaster bagworms are not harmful to humans. 875 pp. They spread from tree to tree by ballooning (they spin a fine web and use wind currents to infest nearby trees). Original publication date September 1996. How do you get rid of moth eggs on the wall? You mention how to get rid of these pests, but you dont say how to keep them from coming back into your house? You can keep bagworms away by using a combination of home remedies. Theres no single foolproof technique. Consider hiring a professional exterminator if you have specific questions on using natural predators to handle plaster bagworms. Plaster bagworms are the tiny larvae you find on your walls and ceiling. So the dish soap actually will slip right off and wont kill the bagworm if you spray it directly. An Introduction to the Study of Insects. Perhaps for this reason, the accepted common name ofPhereoeca uterellais now listed as the household casebearer, instead of plaster bagworm (Bosik et al. Wing venation is very important for genera identification, and was described by Hinton and Bradley in 1956. New York. I keep a very clean home and already dislike bugs so i dont and never had webs or spiders. This may help prevent the future generation of bagworms from developing because the Bt eats up the larvae and prevents them from spawning. This is important to distinguish for ridding plaster bagworms because you can tell which part of the casebearer life cycle the bug is currently in. The caterpillar will pupate and does this inside the case. State of Florida, Department of Agriculture, Tallahassee. Swap your outdoor lighting to yellow bulbs or just dont turn on your lights at night. Youll rarely find them in your wardrobe or closet anyway, as theyre not known to be closet bugs due to low humidity in a drawer. Use your machines attachments to suck up spiderwebs and plaster bagworm sacs as you see them. Specific information of Phereoeca uterella biology is limited. Plus, you dont have to deal with the bug guts if you squish one yourself. If you want to learn how to get rid of plaster bagworms, youve come to the right place. Sparrows are commonly chosen because theyre easy to attract and have a wide dispersion across the US. In constructing the case, the larva secretes silk to build an arch attached at both ends to the substrate. In constructing the case, the larva secretes silk to build an arch attached at both ends to the substrate. They might stay on your exterior door or near a porch light. This closing mechanism is very difficult to open from the outside. 47: 251346. For example, Phereoeca allutella (Rebel) has been recorded in Hawaii, Panama, Canary Islands, Madeira, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, India, Java, and Samoa. Once the larvae hatch, the larvae begin to spin a silk strand and hang down from it.