Webs can be found on the roof, walls, corners, baseboards, cracks, foundation, and more. 1954. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The larva is a caterpillar that carries the case/bag along with it as it forages. Theyll emerge when temperatures pick up in the springtime, so the best time to find a bunch of them is during the winter. Currently an active researcher in the pest control industry for the past 8 years- with a focus on using natural and organic methods to eliminate pest problems. Quick Tip: Youre most likely to encounter plaster bagworms if you live in the Southeastern United States. Get into cracks and crevices and clean up all the organic matter wedged in there over time. Webs of insects such as booklice (Psocoptera) and webspinners (Embioptera) from tree trunks were also suitable food. Adult male household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham. They eventually abandon the case after becoming an adult. If you want to learn how to get rid of plaster bagworms, youve come to the right place. It also attacks certain deciduous trees such as black locust, honeylocust, and sycamore. In Florida, this braconid and an ichneumonid wasp, Lymeon orbum (Say), were reared from the household casebearer (Hetrick 1957). The new moth emerges around noon, leaving the pupal case exposed on the outer case. This is best used for bagworms found in plants and trees. 1956. Your feedback is how I write more improved and detailed pest guides. The crochets are used to walk inside the case, and also to grab the case when the larva pulls its head and thorax out and uses its true legs to walk on the floor or walls. Some observations on the plaster bagworm, Tineola walsinghami Busck (Lepidoptera: Tineidae). So if you can keep moths away from your property, youll have fewer bagworms to deal with. Moths cant help but fly towards the light. Turns out, there are a ton of DIY home remedies you can do for free (or damn close to free) without having to spend money on expensive and dangerous chemicals. Juan A. Villaneuva-Jimenez and Thomas R. Fasulo; Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611. Dont overdo it- just as long as the mixture is even should be good enough. A bug zapper can also be effective for controlling nighttime moths. Males are smaller (wing span: 7 to 9 mm) and thinner than the female, with a less distinctive wing pattern. And thats why they can suddenly show up in huge numbers. After mating, females lay their eggs on crevices and the junction of walls and floors, cementing them on debris. 1997). If you see a lot of worms caught, thats a sign that you have plenty of bags around and you should add other methods to get rid of them. The larval case is a slender, flat, fusiform or spindle-shaped case which resembles a pumpkin seed. When youre out of ideas, consult a professional (licensed) pest control company. Plaster bagworms arent inherently dangerous. On the top and bottom of the oval-shaped case, theres a slit-like opening. Entomol. Each bagworm generation lives just long enough as adults to mate and reproduce in their annual cycle. Youll have to reapply the tape when it loses its stickiness. There are two pairs of buccal appendages called palps. 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. Food habits of Tineola uterella. Gently stir until you see the suds appear. Bags of mature larvae are up to 2" (5 cm) long and 0.5" (1.2 cm) wide. Adults at rest hold their wings tented over the body. Now that you know how to get rid of plaster bagworms, its time to put in the time to reclaim your home. A braconid wasp, Apanteles carpatus (Say), parasitizes larvae of case-bearing moths, killing the larva before pupation. University of Florida, Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 536. They dont do anything but attract flying pests, burn electricity, and attract spiders which spin webs nearby (which may be why you have a bunch of spider webs on your patio, outdoor furnishings, etc.). Life cycle Young bagworms on juniper foliage Fast. Three pairs of legs are visible and it can extend and contract from the case. Both ends of the case are identical, and are used by the larva to hide. Although this isnt the most efficient way of controlling and managing them, its a safe and quick way to bring down their numbers. 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. So they have both a crawling and flying phase. So, you need to get rid of plaster bagworms in your house. There are two main reasons why you have plaster bagworms in your home or garden: These pests are NOT picky and will show up suddenly out of nowhere. After the first case has been built, the larvae will move around and pull the case. How to Get Rid of Plaster Bagworms Naturally (Home Remedies), But for everything else, they should be a minimal threat. These little buggers are truly an interesting pest with their distinct life phase and a big old case they lug around behind them. The larva is also transported to nearby plants by wind. Whatever you call them, these insects have several distinct traits. The heads of both sexes are uniformly clothed with dense, rough hairs. You can make your DIY bagworm killer at home using the following recipe: Mix them gently, but avoid excessive foaming of the dish soap. Leave the lamp on overnight. Take a broom to those high corners near the ceiling. Im You should turn off or reduce your patio lights where possible. Since there are many different types of bagworm species, this depends on the type youre dealing with. Hetrick (1957) observed the insect in many parts of Florida and Louisiana, as well as USDA records of the household casebearer from Mississippi and North Carolina. You may also see adult plaster moths, which are dark gray with 3-4 patches on their front wings and lighter colored hairs on their head. Are you squeamish to even think about a caterpillar pulling a big bag around (and hiding in it)? 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. Revised July 2005, April 2010, April 2014, and April 2017. Your email address will not be published. For example, Phereoeca allutella (Rebel) has been recorded in Hawaii, Panama, Canary Islands, Madeira, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, India, Java, and Samoa. Required fields are marked *. The heads of both sexes are uniformly clothed with dense, rough hairs. Or just seal up those cracks with caulk to prevent further pests from sheltering there. 875 pp. Common Names of Insects & Related Organisms. In terms of shape and appearance, it looks pretty similar to a watermelon or pumpkin seed. And they may also attack shrubs. The lifecycle of a bagworm is nothing special. 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. Pour some into a spray bottle or garden sprayer and then prime it up. Pupation occurs inside the case. The females will deposit up to 200 eggs by attaching them to surfaces where the larvae are likely to have a food source. This isnt the most efficient home remedy to get rid of plaster bagworms, but you can clean up an infestation quickly without using any chemicals. Bagworms overwinter as eggs in the bag of the mother. This is true during the period of their lifecycle when they pupate in the larvae case. In 1933, August Busck proposed the name Tineola walsinghami for the Virgin Island insects of Walsingham. Check the USDA map to see what zone youre in if you have no idea. Once the larvae hatch, the larvae begin to spin a silk strand and hang down from it. Always try, assess, and adjust as needed. Upon hatching, the entire lifecycle of the plaster bagworm can be completed in about 2-3 months. Finally, an early synonym established by Meyrick was recognized as the most appropriate name, and the species was named Phereoeca dubitatrix (Meyrick 1932). Theyre not as bad as dust mites and cockroaches, but allergy-sufferers can still feel the effects of their presence. This is a good way to organically eliminate the worms, but it can be a tedious project . Perhaps for this reason, the accepted common name of Phereoeca uterella is now listed as the household casebearer, instead of plaster bagworm (Bosik JJ, et al. The compound eyes are prominent. There are six to seven larval instars that require about 50 days to mature. If spiders have nothing to eat, then they wont spin a web. Plaster Bagworm Life Cycle Plaster bagworms start as caterpillar-like larvae that hatch in the early summer. The inside of the arch is lined exclusively by silk, and is gradually extended to form a tunnel, while the larva stays inside. Plaster bagworms have a diet of wool, spiderwebs, and even the discarded cases of other bagworms. Bagworm eggs hatch in late May or early June, which makes this the ideal time to eradicate them. Things like deck lights, patio lights, pathway markers, security lights, and any other light source thats not necessary should be turned off. You can also make your own moth trap at home. Appear and theyre a phobia now. Before eclosion the pupa pulls itself halfway through the valve. Sometimes its a day or two and I dont see them and then suddenly I Life history and behavior of the case-bearer. Watson JR. 1946. But for everything else, they should be a minimal threat. 232 pp. For plaster bagworms, this is usually on ceilings, walls, and other humid areas with plenty of debris for the larvae to consume. Theres no single method that always works. Hetrick (1957) found that the most common and abundant food of the household casebearer in Florida is old spider webs, consumed in large quantities. Bosik JJ, et al. CRC Press. Watson JR. 1939. The host plants can be a variety of trees . The remaining mouth parts are reduced, and adults do not feed. Most of the biology described here was taken from Aiello's (1979) description of Phereoeca allutella, a closely related case-bearing moth species from Panama. Specific information of Phereoeca uterella biology is limited. This means they came from an adult female moth and will grow into a moth. With each molt, the larva enlarges its case. Hi there! If you do find their cases stuck on your clothing or furniture, double-check for more so you can confirm it wasnt a fluke. Larva: The larva is not usually seen by most people. This puts the power of all of them into one powerful treatment plan. Dehumidifiers are often placed in basements, but there are other use cases for them, such as in closets where you store damp clothes or other smaller areas where too much moisture can cause a problem such as bathrooms, RVs, boats, and more. This is one of the easiest ways to kill bagworms without using any dangerous chemicals. Youll need to get a lengthy object with a pointed end to make punctures. This, however, is no way to really control the bagworms. They dont bite or cause any physical pain if you touch them. This pupal phase spans about 16 days on average. If you dont suspect that you have a severe bagworm problem and that theyre just concentrated in one area, try manual removal. The labial palps extend a little beyond the head vestiture (dense covering of hairs). Have the soapy water spray everywhere . If youre finding bagworms in your trees, bushes, or plants outside, they may not be plaster bagworms. Due to the active international exchange of goods, other case-bearing moths may occur in Florida in the future. 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. Dont scrub up and down. After a month-long metamorphosis process, the moths will ditch their casing and search for males to mate. Then place it on the floor and grab a ladder. Within the household, they can be found in dark, humid areas. If you have bagworm infestations in your trees, this is likely a different type of species- not a plaster bagworm. One second I look and nothing and I turn around for 5 seconds and one is on the floor or wall crawling. But when woolen threads and woolen cloth were offered to the larvae "they ate eagerly". 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. The caterpillars will drag their casing along the wall and set up shop near wall corners. 1954. Hello t all, the contents existing at this site are really awesome for people knowledge, After the first case is completed, the larva starts moving around, pulling its case behind. Its primarily white and has a brown head. The females cement the eggs to surfaces with a mixture of debris. The household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella, requires high humidity to complete its development, a limiting factor for its dispersion throughout the rest of the country. There are over 1350 different species all over the world. The maxillary palps are smaller than the labial palps, and are folded inwards. Theres no need to use it during the daytime because moths are nocturnal (active at night). Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers. After the bagworm eggs hatch, the larvae start spinning a silk strand that dangles down from the pouch. The case that it carries around wherever it feeds is what is immediately recognized. The maxillary palps are smaller than the labial palps, and are folded inwards. A braconid wasp,Apanteles carpatus(Say), parasitizes larvae of case-bearing moths, killing the larva before pupation. The key is to only plant whats in season and grows in your hardiness zone. Before eclosion the pupa pulls itself halfway through the valve. Theyre safe from the cold temperatures by hiding inside the silk case. Namely, vespid wasps, woodpeckers, sapsuckers, and other predatory flying insects will eat them up without hesitation. Boca Raton. This document is also available on the Featured Creatures website at, Pests in and around the Southern Home (SP486), Pests that Occasionally Invade Structures, http://entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/, UF/IFAS Electronic Data Information System, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Buy them potted or grow from seed (though that takes a long time and spending the extra money is more efficient). Consider hiring a professional exterminator if you have specific questions on using natural predators to handle plaster bagworms. They fly fairly well, but usually rest on walls, floor edges, or on webs of house spiders (theridiids) (Aiello 1979). They are easiest to identify by the bags they construct as they feed. Head of adult household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham. The content on this site is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as professional advice, or to replace a relationship with a qualified professional. Lowering the relative humidity makes the environment less favorable to bagworms. Wasps are one of the main predators of bagworms, so you should focus on getting more of them to your yard to help clean up the infestation. Inside your house, protective cocoons can appear anywhere. The resilient fibers of a spider web make them extremely durable to the elements (theyre resistant to rain, wind, and sunlight) and this provides a longstanding food for bagworms. It has a dark brown head, and the rest of the body is white, except for the lateral and dorsal plates on the three thoracic segments close to the head, which are hardened and dark. Plaster bagworms mainly survive on wool and spiderwebs. Case of household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham. When disturbed, it encloses itself in the case by pulling the bottom side up. Bagworms move about freely to feed, and they carry their bags with them. Other Common Names Eastern Bagworm Common Basket Worm North American Bagworm Size Wingspan of males: about 1 inch. The entire cycle from egg to adult averages 74.2 days (62 to 86 days). And the trick isnt to smear them because thatll just break the egg. In northern Illinois, bagworm caterpillars hatch in early June in most years. Also, dont try to attract some bird species that are not native to your area. You also may scrape your paint finish, so get in there by hand. Bagworm is a caterpillar that molts into a moth in the adult stage. 39-43. Due to the active international exchange of goods, other case-bearing moths may occur in Florida in the future. Were happy to help. I dont ever see any hanging from Life Cycle Bagworm, like all moths, undergoes complete metamorphosis with four stages.