Plaster Bagworm 6,145 views May 5, 2021 Phereoeca uterella is a species of moth belonging to the family Tineidae. 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. Survival is the main priority, and houses provide everything that they need to prosper. On the top and bottom of the oval-shaped case, theres a slit-like opening. The larva is not usually seen by most people. Adult: Adult females have a wing span 10 to 13 mm long. You can tell them apart by their colors, patternings, and size. Each constructs a small bag around its hind parts with silk and plant material. Bagworms eggs look like pale blue seeds and are usually cemented onto walls with debris or silk. The legs are also visible and are gray, silver, or white. Females mate with males during the warmer months. Scales are also visible. Theyre especially prevalent in the state of Florida. Florida Entomologist 40: 145146. The eggs of the bagworms hatch around the springtime. This explains why theyre commonly found in environments with already high moisture content such as Florida and other coastal states. Turn off the porch and security lights (especially at night) to ensure that the moths stay away. At the tip of each proleg there is an ellipse formed by 23 to 25 very small crochets (a small hook). I still dont so He also assumed that this species might be present in the coastal areas of Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. Bags on spruce will look completely different from those on arborvitae or honey locust because the host plant material is incorporated into the bag. Life cycle Young bagworms on juniper foliage Plaster bagworms are unwelcome guests that can quickly wreak havoc on your home. You can also spray dish soap, vinegar, or essential oils for a residual effect. They start appearing in spring and the population increases over time until august and September. The larvae of the species of Tineidae of economic importance. 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. They remain in the pupal stage an average of 15.6 days (range of 11 to 23 days). The plaster bagworm often is confused with the household casebearer. Theyre either on the floor crawling or on the walls . Even if you sweep away spiderwebs, the bugs food source only ends up on the floor. 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. The larva builds the case before it hatches and each instar forces a larger case. The females cement the eggs to surfaces with a mixture of debris. It is possible that records of Phereoeca uterella might be misidentified as this species or vice versa. The females lay more than 200 eggs in a small, protective casing. Youll also want to make sure that you use a desktop lamp thats rated for hours of continuous usage. Res. I thought they were joking St in my clothes and furniture but Ive noticed them in my ceiling and I am terrified. The caterpillar larvae are the larvae phase of their lifecycle. The casebearer (AKA casemaking clothes moth) also will make a bag for the larvae which can be found throughout the home. Too terrified to puncture them. If spiders have nothing to eat, then they wont spin a web. Quick Tip: If you have a lot of wool clothing, dont be surprised if you find them destroying it. I find that simply using a pen taped to rod or pole is enough. You can also set up moth traps to catch any adults that attempt to lay eggs to stop future pest problems. Control of four household insects. The larva is also transported to nearby plants by wind. Sometimes its a day or two and I dont see them and then suddenly I by finding a recipe online, Eliminating crawl spaces, cracks, and other points of entry, Sealing up foundational or structural damage, Sprinkling diatomaceous earth around your property, Using talcum powder, baby powder, or boric acid in common areas of spider infestation, The key is to only plant whats in season and grows in your hardiness zone. Note that spinosad is dangerous to bees and will kill them quickly. Hetrick LA. After they pupate, they emerge as an adult moth. Use as directed. But that doesnt mean you should ignore them. However, proper identification by a specialist is advised, because case-bearing species other than P. uterella might be in those states. If youre trying to get rid of plaster bagworms, consider cranking up the AC a bit more than normal. But when woolen threads and woolen cloth were offered to the larvae "they ate eagerly". If you have a particularly challenging plaster bagworm problem and want some advice, send us a message. Take a broom to those high corners near the ceiling. Your vacuum cleaner is your best friend against plaster bagworms. Arnett Jr RH. Borror DJ, Triplehorn CA, Johnson NF. Plaster bagworms might not bite, but theyre certainly not a pest you should ignore. If you have bagworms that have built up extensively, you may notice damaged structural materials or cosmetic damage to your home. At the tip of each proleg there is an ellipse formed by 23 to 25 very small crochets (a small hook). The larvae can damage your ceiling, walls, stucco, and other materials over time, though this can be fixed for most infestations. Regardless, theyre not something most homeowners will welcome with an embracing hug into their homes, so take measures to get rid of them. 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. Revised July 2005, April 2010, April 2014, and April 2017. Use a vacuum cleaner or dish soap to dislodge them and get rid of them. Put on a pair of garden gloves, goggles, and long sleeves because were going to get dirty! There are visible black or gray markings on the forewings. These compounds are effective at making quick work of bagworms and preventing future infestations. However, bagworms are moths in the family Psychidae. Moths are attracted to light, especially at night when your outdoor lights are the only thing that lights up the evening sky. Meanwhile, hooked false legs help it turn around inside the casing. Aiello (1979) believes the plates protect the larva from natural enemies when it reaches out of its case for locomotion. 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. Plaster bagworms mainly survive on wool and spiderwebs. The cases are thin and flat similar to a pumpkin seed. Position the desktop lamp above the container and direct the light right into the liquid. The antennae are filiform (threadlike), as long as the wings, and are held back over the body. Then, they all hatch around the same time and this is why they all appear out of nowhere- at the same time! 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. Does the thought of a giant moth flying out of the silk bag freak you out? Pheno Forecast maps predict key life cycle stages in invasive and pest species, to improve management efficacy. If you have a pest problem thats not covered here, feel free to contact me and let me know. Most people know this species by the name plaster bagworm. They spread from tree to tree by ballooning (they spin a fine web and use wind currents to infest nearby trees). The same year Kea wrote about the food habits of the species present in Florida, using the name given by Walsingham (Tineola uterella). Plaster bagworms are nothing but the larvae of moths. Anything below 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit should be more than enough to deter plaster bagworms from coming in. However, bagworms are moths in the family Psychidae. Plaster bagworms are not harmful to humans. 1933. Three pairs of legs are visible and it can extend and contract from the case. Birds are also an effective means of managing bagworm populations. Of course, monitor your tape and traps to check the progress. An adult female moth that has mated has found its way into your home and laid eggs on your walls. The larvae then build the bags you commonly see hanging on your ceiling. The ventral prolegs are white, and are located on abdominal segments 3 to 6 and 10. 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. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers. The hindwings are just a solid gray or dark brown color with no patterning. Dont scrub up and down. However, the specimens that he collected from the Virgin Islands were misidentified. Find an insecticide with any of these active ingredients: You can also use any commercial moth killer. The fully developed larva is about 7 mm long, 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. The entire cycle from egg to adult averages 74.2 days (62 to 86 days). Its very easy to make and you probably already have the necessary materials lying around your home! Be careful not to scrub too hard as some paint finishes are sensitive to soap. The anterior crochets are bigger and broader than posterior ones by one third, which is a good detail for identification. The household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella, requires high humidity to complete its development, a limiting factor for its dispersion throughout the rest of the country. After mating the female lays 500 to 1000 eggs within her bag and then she dies. You dont need to make a huge hole in it. 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). Not sure why theyre here. Eventually, the plaster bagworm becomes a moth. However, we usually see only the empty larval or pupal cases of the household casebearer on walls of houses in south and central Florida. Insect Management Guide for Bagworms and Clothes Moths (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IG090). Required fields are marked *. Hetrick LA. Use a longer pole so you can avoid getting on a ladder. Eggs take about 1-2 weeks to hatch but vary depending on environmental conditions, species, and temperature. Photograph by Juan A. Villanueva-Jimnez, University of Florida. Mint leaves have been known to repel moths and you can utilize this to your advantage by placing them around your home and garden. It can also be harmful to humans, so use proper PPE and follow manufacturer directions. Control of three household insects. Before eclosion the pupa pulls itself halfway through the valve. 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. An Introduction to the Study of Insects. To address the wool problem, keep all of your items in sealed plastic bags. Plaster bagworms have a diet of wool, spiderwebs, and even the discarded cases of other bagworms. Then theyll pupate and emerge as an adult moth just to continue the cycle. Plaster bagworms are so distinct that many people refer to them as a separate entity entirely. The only thing Id be wary about is to study the pesticides they use and check out the MSDS on them. Your email address will not be published. Plaster bagworms have a few natural enemies that eat them. Watson JR. 1939. You may see dozens of bags hanging on your roof during this time. The larvae are moved to nearby trees and shrubs with the help of wind. 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. Egg: In late summer and fall, the female lays up to 1,000 eggs in her case. The anterior crochets are bigger and broader than posterior ones by one third, which is a good detail for identification. The larva cuts a short slit along both edges to make that end flatter, which acts as a valve. Each bagworm spins its own cocoon nest, where it spends most of its life. The bag will usually have a mixture of soil, felt, woolens, hair, sand, feces, fibers, and other debris they harvest from your home. New York. The household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella, requires high humidity to complete its development, a limiting factor for its dispersion throughout the rest of the country. The adults mate and deposit their eggs which over time will result in these bagworms on your walls and ceilings. No method is as simple, free, and convenient as removing them by hand. These little buggers are truly an interesting pest with their distinct life phase and a big old case they lug around behind them. I just moved here four months ago. See if its working or not. A bug zapper can also be effective for controlling nighttime moths. This allows them to quickly reproduce and build up to extreme numbers. You dont want to harm them as theyre a beneficial insect. In the fall, you can actually go around and pick the sacks off the trees yourself. Old cases of its own species were chewed as well. The case that it carries around wherever it feeds is what is immediately recognized. Plaster bagworm life cycle Bagworms have a two-part life cycle. 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. I keep a very clean home and already dislike bugs so i dont and never had webs or spiders. The life cycle can continue until you have thousands and thousands of plaster bagworms to get rid of. Theres no limit to where the cases are found. They remain in the pupal stage an average of 15.6 days (range of 11 to 23 days). Youll have to reapply the tape when it loses its stickiness. Namely, vespid wasps, woodpeckers, sapsuckers, and other predatory flying insects will eat them up without hesitation. The bags gradually enlarge as they feed during the summer to house the growing caterpillar. This continues their lifecycle and propagation, which continues to spread bagworms throughout your property. And of course, be safe with anything that can puncture. The larvae hide in the case and shield from predators. While they might be small, a large population can wreak havoc on all of your prized garments. Are you seeing their bag (cases) dangling from your garage ceiling? State of Florida, Department of Agriculture, Tallahassee. until they pupate. Get a vacuum and suck up all the webs, dust, and other debris in the area, especially on the ceiling. Bagworm life cycle in Kansas City. For plaster bagworms, this is usually on ceilings, walls, and other humid areas with plenty of debris for the larvae to consume. Once the eggs hatch, the larva spins a silk strand that hangs down it. 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. Things like deck lights, patio lights, pathway markers, security lights, and any other light source thats not necessary should be turned off. Make a soap water mixture and then grab an old sponge that youre about to throw out. You mention how to get rid of these pests, but you dont say how to keep them from coming back into your house? However, the specimens that he collected from the Virgin Islands were misidentified. How do you get rid of moth eggs on the wall? In Florida, this braconid and an ichneumonid wasp, Lymeon orbum (Say), were reared from the household casebearer (Hetrick 1957). 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 all, the last thing you need is harmful toxic residues floating around your home just to keep some bagworms out. Some heavy infestations will require commercial pesticides to handle. 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. The eggs look like small blue ovals with a pale tint and are less than 0.5mm in length. 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. Ive been here six years and suddenly these things started to After they hatch, the small larvae emerge and will begin to feed. And if you have any questions, just leave a comment and Ill get back to you. The larva has three pair of well-developed, brown legs. Since there are many different types of bagworm species, this depends on the type youre dealing with. The entire cycle from egg to adult averages 74.2 days (62 to 86 days). Braconid wasps are effective at killing the larvae and will stop them from pupating. Although this isnt the most efficient way of controlling and managing them, its a safe and quick way to bring down their numbers. The adults mate around the same time, which means the larvae eggs are deposited simultaneously. You can control and manage plaster bagworms in your home and garden using a variety of DIY home remedies. Another related species of case-bearing moths is Praececodes atomosella (tecophora) (Walker 1863). This puts the power of all of them into one powerful treatment plan. As a result, large populations of plaster bagworms can become a massive problem for Floridians. The cases are constructed during the caterpillar stage (larval) and this is when most people notice them. Spiders are considered to be a beneficial insect because they help catch and kill various pests like flies, beetles, flying pests, earwigs, roly-polys, etc.. Theres no need to use it during the daytime because moths are nocturnal (active at night). 875 pp. 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. Without any food to survive, plaster bagworms have no choice but to vacate your home and look elsewhere for food. Busck A. The cocoon is made up of silk fiber and other organic materials. 1989. 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. Plaster bagworms mainly survive on wool and spiderwebs. Female adults will keep their bags, which has her pupal case and this is where the eggs are deposited. The females are usually more patterned than males. Head of adult household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham. The caterpillar will pupate and does this inside the case. By late summer . Life history and behavior of the case-bearer. This kills the plaster bagworm instantly. When youre out of ideas, consult a professional (licensed) pest control company. Case of household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham. The caterpillar is only about a quarter of an inch long. TQ, Im having serious problems with bagworms. Adult females have a wing span 10 to 13 mm long. Some observations on the plaster bagworm, Tineola walsinghami Busck (Lepidoptera: Tineidae). There are six to seven larval instars that require about 50 days to mature. The larva has true legs and will emerge from the case to walk across surfaces, dragging the case with it like a snail. They have two long visible antennas and a wingspan of about 12mm in length. Photograph by Lyle J. Buss, University of Florida. Adult female household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham. The caterpillar larvae rarely can be seen by people. Consider attracting sparrows, woodpeckers, sapsuckers, and other common garden avian species to your yard. Three sets of legs help the caterpillar walk on horizontal surfaces. Heres the thing you need to know: Bagworms have a protective casing around them when they dangle from the ceiling. This will help deter and repel bagworms naturally. Then place it on the floor and grab a ladder. They immediately begin feeding on host plants. Life cycle of bagworms The adult female moth does not leave the bag the caterpillar created. 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. Hetrick (1957) found that the most common and abundant food of the household casebearer in Florida is old spider webs, consumed in large quantities. If you want to prevent these flying insects from laying eggs in or around your house, youll need to reduce the lighting outside. Aiello (1979) believes the plates protect the larva from natural enemies when it reaches out of its case for locomotion. Control of four household insects. What time of year do you spray for bagworms? Reviewed June 2020. If youre finding bagworms in your trees, bushes, or plants outside, they may not be plaster bagworms. Theyll emerge when temperatures pick up in the springtime, so the best time to find a bunch of them is during the winter. Females are bigger and wider while males are smaller and thinner. He also assumed that this species might be present in the coastal areas of Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.
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plaster bagworm life cycle
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