plaster bagworm life cycle

Sometimes its a day or two and I dont see them and then suddenly I The compound eyes are prominent. The adult moth will merge from the case, complete with a full wingspan. However, I keep my apartment clean. Youll want to focus on eliminating SPIDER WEBS because this is their favorite thing to munch on. The plaster bagworm often is confused with the household casebearer. Lastly, you can also attract natural predators to help eat up moths and larvae like predatory wasps (which can also help control cicadas, sawflies, asparagus beetles, and fig beetles) or beneficial lizards. You dont need to make a huge hole in it. Each bagworm generation lives just long enough as adults to mate and reproduce in their annual cycle. Watson (1939) corroborated the preference of Pjerepeca uterella for woolen goods of all kinds. 1933. Hetrick (1957) found that the most common and abundant food of the household casebearer in Florida is old spider webs, consumed in large quantities. Res. Are you seeing their bag (cases) dangling from your garage ceiling? For instance, this video combines the two terms and uses them synonymously: Note that bagworms are moths in the family Psychidae, while household casebearers are moths in the Tineidae family. 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. Theyll emerge when temperatures pick up in the springtime, so the best time to find a bunch of them is during the winter. Finally, an early synonym established by Meyrick was recognized as the most appropriate name, and the species was named Phereoeca dubitatrix (Meyrick 1932). The case that it carries around wherever it feeds is what is immediately recognized. Wing venation is very important for genera identification, and was described by Hinton and Bradley in 1956. Theyre the larvae form of moths and have two distinct phases of their lifecycle. Please help me. Gently stir until you see the suds appear. Anything below 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit should be more than enough to deter plaster bagworms from coming in. However, we usually see only the empty larval or pupal cases of the household casebearer on walls of houses in south and central Florida. Without any food to survive, plaster bagworms have no choice but to vacate your home and look elsewhere for food. The inside of the arch is lined exclusively by silk, and is gradually extended to form a tunnel, while the larva stays inside. Im deathly afraid they will land on me when Im asleep so Check the USDA map to see what zone youre in if you have no idea. BC Pest Control is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. After they pupate, they emerge as an adult moth. When disturbed, it encloses itself in the case by pulling the bottom side up. They dont bite, sting, or transmit any dangerous diseases to people. Plaster Bagworm Life Cycle Plaster bagworms start as caterpillar-like larvae that hatch in the early summer. Theyre safe from the cold temperatures by hiding inside the silk case. well, eep up the nice work fellows. Why you have them, how they spread, and when theyre most active. If you dont suspect that you have a severe bagworm problem and that theyre just concentrated in one area, try manual removal. Food habits of Tineola uterella. The cases are constructed during the caterpillar stage (larval) and this is when most people notice them. Common Names of Insects & Related Organisms. Cover it up with a curtain or shut the shutters to prevent bringing moths to your windows, door gaps, and other areas of your home. If youre finding bagworms in your trees, bushes, or plants outside, they may not be plaster bagworms. Bagworms overwinter as eggs in the bag of the mother. Psyche 86: 125136. Youre getting rid of plaster bagworms by getting rid of OTHER pests first. Plaster bagworms are found in coaster states where temperatures are high and humidity is prevalent. Spiders are considered to be a beneficial insect because they help catch and kill various pests like, Spraying essential oils around cracks and crevices (peppermint, basil, neem, lavender, onion, garlic, citrus, etc.) Moths will be attracted to the lamp and gravitate towards it. The household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella, requires high humidity to complete its development, a limiting factor for its dispersion throughout the rest of the country. They fly fairly well, but usually rest on walls, floor edges, or on webs of house spiders (theridiids) (Aiello 1979). In 1956, Hinton and Bradley described the new genus Phereoeca, in order to separate the true Tineola from this and other species of flat case-bearing moths. Generally, they will stay close to wherever food is near. These funky insects can be quite annoying, but arent too difficult to handle as long as you take the right approach. After a while, the species in the peninsula was recognized as Tineola walsinghami. Before eclosion the pupa pulls itself halfway through the valve. 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. He also assumed that this species might be present in the coastal areas of Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. The larva has true legs and will emerge from the case to walk across surfaces, dragging the case with it like a snail. Most trees will recover, but sick or younger trees may be destroyed by bagworms. Bagworms feed on a variety of organic materials. Abandoned webs are one of the prime food sources of bagworms. Survival is the main priority, and houses provide everything that they need to prosper. The case is only about half an inch long. Observations on species of Lepidoptera infesting stored products. Then spray the bagworm and the dish detergent will enter the bag. You mention how to get rid of these pests, but you dont say how to keep them from coming back into your house? Bull. Theyre not THAT hard to get rid of. The eggs then remain stuck inside the bag, which is then usually found on your ceiling, walls, and yard. The larvae part of their life cycle consists of walking around and foraging for food. If you dont have a severe infestation, you may be able to get rid of them using some natural DIY home remedies. Watson JR. 1946. You can also use a long pole to scrape them off, but this could result in your crushing them which can damage your ceiling. The adult bagworms will fly into the zapper and get fried. For spiderwebs, clean your house regularly. If you have a particularly challenging plaster bagworm problem and want some advice, send us a message. Does the thought of a giant moth flying out of the silk bag freak you out? Even if you sweep away spiderwebs, the bugs food source only ends up on the floor. ), 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. All have wingless (or nearly wingless) adult females that do not leave their bags, and the males are usually drab blackish shades. For plaster bagworms, this is usually on ceilings, walls, and other humid areas with plenty of debris for the larvae to consume. Please help. Well, according to Clemson Cooperative Extension, these wasps live for only two weeks (remember, not where they can cause contamination, sting, or bite, but inside of bagworm eggs), and die shortly after. They start appearing in spring and the population increases over time until august and September. The larvae are moved to nearby trees and shrubs with the help of wind. Im The larvae hide in the case and shield from predators. Adults at rest hold their wings tented over the body. The complete life cycle of plaster bagworms contains 6-7 instars and takes about 40-50 days to complete. They immediately begin feeding on host plants. Juan A. Villanueva-Jimenez and Thomas R. Fasulo, Credit: Juan A. Villanueva-Jimnez, UF/IFAS, This document is EENY003, one of a series of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Extension. The larva is a caterpillar that carries the case/bag along with it as it forages. When used properly, you can kill bagworms in just 48 hours after spraying. Pests that try to climb up will be stuck on the tape and cant get across. By the end of this article, you should have everything you need to know to manage, control, and eliminate these pests. The plaster bagworm in it's larval stage, has three (3) set of legs as well as false legs. The females cement the eggs to surfaces with a mixture of debris. What time of year do you spray for bagworms? Lowering the relative humidity makes the environment less favorable to bagworms. Theyll be actively feeding on various debris around the home and you can capture and kill most of them when you spray during this time. One second I look and nothing and I turn around for 5 seconds and one is on the floor or wall crawling. You only want to pass the sponge edges over the eggs and push them off- dont CRUSH them. How Long Can Bed Bugs Live Without Food From A Host? Its a passive way to repel them and stop plaster bagworms without having to do any work. For example,Phereoeca allutella(Rebel) has been recorded in Hawaii, Panama, Canary Islands, Madeira, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, India, Java and Samoa. 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. They look like theyve been here for a while. Reviewed June 2020. The cases are thin and flat similar to a pumpkin seed. Webs of insects such as booklice (Psocoptera) and webspinners (Embioptera) from tree trunks were also suitable food. And theres no shame in doing this if the service is good and the price is fair. Bagworms will eat wool, but they dont eat other materials used in clothing like nylon, cotton, spandex, and polyester. These can also be used as materials for their cases, matching whatever is present in their environment. Most people know this species by the name plaster bagworm. Like any other nuisance bug, plaster bagworms move into homes to find food and shelter. They dont scavenge for the same things as cockroaches and other common pests, so theyre free to live in their own little bubble undetected. Do you see tiny, ovular cases that look like pumpkin seeds hanging from your roof? Revised July 2005, April 2010, April 2014, and April 2017. If you absolutely need a light to be overnight, consider replacing them with a yellow bulb. If you need to resort to chemical pesticides to kill plaster bagworms, heres what youll want to look for. Its when they mature into adult moths that they move inside and start a new generation. 156, new series. Phereoeca uterella is a species of moth belonging to the family Tineidae. Adult: Adult females have a wing span 10 to 13 mm long. You also may come across additional areas of activity. Case of household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham. After the first case is completed, the larva starts moving around, pulling its case behind. If you have ichneumonid wasps, you can attract them to your yard by planting flowers that attract wasps and avoiding ones that dont. Any bags that are still alive can be killed by dunking them into a bucket of soapy water. The same year Kea wrote about the food habits of the species present in Florida, using the name given by Walsingham (Tineola uterella). Household Pests. They have two long visible antennas and a wingspan of about 12mm in length. Plaster bagworm life cycle Bagworms have a two-part life cycle. Bags on spruce will look completely different from those on arborvitae or honey locust because the host plant material is incorporated into the bag. 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. See if its working or not. The larva has three pair of well-developed, brown legs. What is the life cycle of a plaster Bagworm? Life history and behavior of the case-bearer. In 1933, August Busck proposed the name Tineola walsinghami for the Virgin Island insects of Walsingham. A braconid wasp,Apanteles carpatus(Say), parasitizes larvae of case-bearing moths, killing the larva before pupation. In 1956, Hinton and Bradley described the new genus Phereoeca, in order to separate the true Tineola from this and other species of flat case-bearing moths. Bagworm cocoons ('bags') dangling from trees. The antennae are filiform (threadlike), as long as the wings, and are held back over the body. The bagworm is a perennial insect pest of arborvitae, juniper, pine, spruce, and many other evergreen species (including Christmas trees). Then place them around your yard to keep the bagworms away. You can make your DIY bagworm killer at home using the following recipe: Mix them gently, but avoid excessive foaming of the dish soap. Up to 200 eggs can be deposited over a single week. 1989. Preferably one that doesnt damage your paint finish. Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida. So if you have wool clothing or furniture, you should be careful. They are really gross and now its a phobia for me. Everything I mentioned is listed above in this guide. After all, the last thing you need is harmful toxic residues floating around your home just to keep some bagworms out. What is the life cycle of a plaster Bagworm? [6] Systematics [ edit] Ten subfamilies [1] and about 240 genera are recognized among the bagworms. 2000. This tends to be areas like your garage, attic, stucco, vinyl, sidings, and basement, but they can also be found in the bedroom, kitchen, and any other room of your home or apartment. Due to its food habits the household casebearer is a potential household pest. Florida Entomologist 17: 66. Household Pests. Pay special attention to dusty cabinets and bookshelves. 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. Check the. Not sure why theyre here. You should turn off or reduce your patio lights where possible. Watson JR. 1946. Each molt results in a larger case. Hinton HE. Plaster bagworms mainly survive on wool and spiderwebs. Use as directed. And they may also attack shrubs. It is possible that records of Phereoeca uterella might be misidentified as this species or vice versa. 1997). There are two pairs of buccal appendages called palps. They remain in the pupal stage an average of 15.6 days (range of 11 to 23 days). Males are smaller (wing span: 7 to 9 mm) and thinner than the female, with a less distinctive wing pattern. The host plants can be a variety of trees . Life cycle Young bagworms on juniper foliage These are the protective bags of bagworms, also commonly confused with casebearers. They can be damaging and destroy significant parts of the tree which results in damaged foliage. Once the eggs hatch, the larva spins a silk strand that hangs down it. You can buy one at a hardware store or online and position it somewhere where you always see moth activity. But follow the manufacturers directions. Aiello (1979) succeeded in rearing specimens of the related species Phereoeca allutella by offering them dead mosquitoes and her own hair. Spring - Egg hatch occurs from late May to early June, at which time the larvae crawl out in search of food. It is possible that records ofPhereoeca uterellamight be misidentified as this species or vice versa. So, you need to get rid of plaster bagworms in your house. I find that simply using a pen taped to rod or pole is enough. However, bagworms are moths in the family Psychidae. Pupa: Pupation occurs inside the case. That said, these bugs can cause a lot of damage around your house. If you have a part of your house thats not insulated or cooled, consider taking steps to change that. Remember each bagworm you kill means a lower chance of them mating and producing more. Start by using the techniques listed here that you can do right away. I share handy DIY pest techniques I come across here to help out others (and possibly save them from a mental breakdown). Then place it on the floor and grab a ladder. Also, unsuspecting guests wont even know the real reason for those plants and will never even hint that you have a bagworm infestation in your home! Plaster bagworms are so distinct that many people refer to them as a separate entity entirely. Hi there! Arnett Jr RH. Hetrick (1957) found that the most common and abundant food of the household casebearer in Florida is old spider webs, consumed in large quantities. Lastly, you can also attract natural predators to help eat up moths and larvae like, How to Get Rid of Puss Caterpillars Naturally (Ultimate, How to Get Rid of Hummingbird Moths Naturally (Ultimate, How to Get Rid of Squash Bugs Naturally (Organic DIY, How to Get Rid of Oleander Pests Naturally (Aphids,, How to Get Rid of Mole Crickets Naturally (DIY Guide), How to Get Rid of Pests on Geraniums Naturally (Fast and, How to Get Rid of Glassy Winged Sharpshooters (Naturally), How to Get Rid of Blister Beetles Naturally (Guide). Manual picking or vacuuming of cases and spider web removal should be enough to keep this species under control. Youll also want to make sure that you use a desktop lamp thats rated for hours of continuous usage. The best time to spray for bagworms is in late spring, which is when most of the bagworm larvae have completed incubation and hatched from their eggs. As long as theres an entryway into your garage, basement, bedroom, dresser, shed, outhouse, or wherever else you see them, thats all thats needed for them to infest your home. Due to the active international exchange of goods, other case-bearing moths may occur in Florida in the future. The adults mate and deposit their eggs which over time will result in these bagworms on your walls and ceilings. 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. New York. On the top and bottom of the oval-shaped case, theres a slit-like opening. The dark colored bagworm caterpillars are 1/8 to one inch long when they first hatch. Kea JW. These little buggers are truly an interesting pest with their distinct life phase and a big old case they lug around behind them. They can also be found on the interior and exterior surfaces of your house, and a variety of materials like wood, brick, and stucco. Bagworms lay eggs that hatch as moths between the last days of May through the early weeks of June. 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. As a result, large populations of plaster bagworms can become a massive problem for Floridians. They are gray with up to four spots on the fore wings, and a brush of long, lighter gray hair-like scales along the posterior margin of the hind wings. These become the host plants for the larvae for further development in the moth life cycle. Either way, the final result is a light gray protective case that hangs discreetly on the walls of your home. There are six to seven larval instars that require about 50 days to mature. TQ, Im having serious problems with bagworms. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers. The larvae will emerge from their case and walk around bringing the case alongside them. They spread from tree to tree by ballooning (they spin a fine web and use wind currents to infest nearby trees). Soon after hatching, a worm about the size of a pencil lead starts eating the foliage. Two hundred eggs may be oviposited by a single female over a period of a week, after which she dies. You may see dozens of bags hanging on your roof during this time. You can use Bacillus thuringiensis (variant kurstaki Btk), which is a microbe bacteria that are extremely effective at eliminating bagworms but only when used at the right period of their lifecycle. After they hatch, the small larvae emerge and will begin to feed. Adult male household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham. Life Cycle Management Common name: . Any standard handheld vacuum cleaner will make quick work of bagworms without making a mess. Its oval and features a somewhat flat profile, which is perfect for blending into walls. Most people know this species by the name plaster bagworm. They may also have been smuggled into your house from newly purchased products, such as plants, carpet, furniture, and more. See 3-4 a day. So if you can keep moths away from your property, youll have fewer bagworms to deal with. The lifecycle of a bagworm is nothing special. 1997. 1956. Next, use the sharp end and puncture the bagworm case while its stationary on the ceiling. The tunnel is closed beneath by the larva to form a tube free from the substrate, and open at both ends. They can show up in huge numbers rapidly if you dont start a pest management program. 1003 pp. Furthermore, household casebearer larvae did not eat cotton products offered by Kea. Take a broom to those high corners near the ceiling. The entire cycle from egg to adult averages 74.2 days (62 to 86 days). In the fall, you can actually go around and pick the sacks off the trees yourself. University of Florida, Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 619. Eggs take about 1-2 weeks to hatch but vary depending on environmental conditions, species, and temperature. And thats why they can suddenly show up in huge numbers. Life history and behavior of the case-bearer Phereoeca allutella (Lepidoptera: Tineidae). In most cases, plaster bagworms start their life outdoors. But when woolen threads and woolen cloth were offered to the larvae "they ate eagerly". Quick Tip: Dont forget to empty the bag or canister to ensure that the pests are out of your house for good! Original publication date September 1996. The moth larva is protected from the elements through the case and can be found enclosed within the material. It can be found under spiderwebs, in bathrooms, bedrooms and garages. They start as a caterpillar (known as the larvae) and crawl around with the silk bag tied to their backs. 1933. Most people know this species by the name plaster bagworm. It can also be harmful to humans, so use proper PPE and follow manufacturer directions. The insect might use nearby lint, sand, or even dry plaster debris. This closing mechanism is very difficult to open from the outside. The compound eyes are prominent. Theyre either on the floor crawling or on the walls . The Entomologist 89: 42-47. Thats just a waste of time, and probably impossible. The labial palps extend a little beyond the head vestiture (dense covering of hairs). If not, move up the ladder and try the more extensive remedies to get rid of them. The eggs are found on crevices, cracks, and joints of doors, walls, and baseboards. Add the water and dish soap to the container. It was found in Gainesville, Florida, and has been recorded as present in the southern USA, Hawaii, Mexico, Bermuda, Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Europe, Africa, Malaya, Australia and other localities. A bug zapper can also be effective for controlling nighttime moths. This may help bring down their numbers and keep them out of your home. Your feedback is how I write more improved and detailed pest guides. And dont forget about the light that comes from inside your home. This is like an impermeable layer of protection from the elements- including liquids. In 1933, August Busck proposed the name Tineola walsinghami for the Virgin Island insects of Walsingham. Required fields are marked *. Quick Tip: Youre most likely to encounter plaster bagworms if you live in the Southeastern United States. Use a vacuum cleaner or dish soap to dislodge them and get rid of them. I live in a condo on Miami. The caterpillar will pupate and does this inside the case. They crawl around and forage for food (debris, detritus, webs, wool, fabrics, furniture, etc.) Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. And its natural. This will help deter and repel bagworms naturally. The anterior crochets are bigger and broader than posterior ones by one third, which is a good detail for identification. Adult female household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham. The larvae create their silk case after hatching and will forage for food, such as organic detritus and debris found within your house. Theres a visible tuft of hair on the head and wing edges. Finally, an early synonym established by Meyrick was recognized as the most appropriate name, and the species was named Phereoeca dubitatrix (Meyrick 1932). Heres the thing you need to know: Bagworms have a protective casing around them when they dangle from the ceiling. You may find them attached to branches, twigs, plants, and other debris outside with a small piece of silk. Spray when the bags are smaller than 0.5 and are visibly feeding. Also, dont try to attract some bird species that are not native to your area. 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. Common Names of Insects & Related Organisms. And dont release pressure at any point. The entire cycle from egg to adult averages 74.2 days (62 to 86 days). Borror DJ, Triplehorn CA, Johnson NF. Busck A. 1989. Creighton JT. The larvae then build the bags you commonly see hanging on your ceiling. And if all else fails, consult a professional exterminator. The plaster bagworm has 4 life stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. The differences are minimal and dont really matter for clearing the infestation anyway. Put on a pair of garden gloves, goggles, and long sleeves because were going to get dirty! They remain in the pupal stage an average of 15.6 days (range of 11 to 23 days). This document is also available on the Featured Creatures website athttp://entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/. The larva builds the case before it hatches and each instar forces a larger case. XVI: Two new genera of clothes moths (Tineidae). Some bagworm species are parthenogenetic, meaning their eggs develop without male fertilization.