plaster bagworm life cycle
Be careful about leaving the lamp on overnight. Theyre considered to be caterpillars at this point. Bagworms eggs look like pale blue seeds and are usually cemented onto walls with debris or silk. This closing mechanism is very difficult to open from the outside. The remaining mouth parts are reduced and adults do not feed. Bagworms will eat wool, but they dont eat other materials used in clothing like nylon, cotton, spandex, and polyester. You might also find them hanging off of exterior stucco, near outdoor lights, or underneath chairs and benches. CRC Press. When disturbed, it encloses itself in the case by pulling the bottom side up. Florida Entomologist 17: 66. As mentioned earlier, these bugs dont eat cotton or nylon. The plaster bagworm often is confused with the household casebearer. Plaster bagworms arent inherently dangerous. The larva is a caterpillar that carries the case/bag along with it as it forages. Inside your house, protective cocoons can appear anywhere. They immediately begin feeding on host plants. In 1933, August Busck proposed the name Tineola walsinghami for the Virgin Island insects of Walsingham. Dont scrub up and down. In terms of shape and appearance, it looks pretty similar to a watermelon or pumpkin seed. Bagworm Forecast | USA National Phenology Network A fully developed larva has a case 8 to 14 mm long and 3 to 5 mm wide. Figure 5. Things like deck lights, patio lights, pathway markers, security lights, and any other light source thats not necessary should be turned off. One second I look and nothing and I turn around for 5 seconds and one is on the floor or wall crawling. And dont release pressure at any point. Theres a visible tuft of hair on the head and wing edges. This puts the power of all of them into one powerful treatment plan. I may be able to help you out! Inside the bag the caterpillar transforms to the moth stage. Regardless, theyre not something most homeowners will welcome with an embracing hug into their homes, so take measures to get rid of them. Old cases of its own species were chewed as well. Most people know this species by the name plaster bagworm. Psyche 86: 125136. 156, new series. The adult plaster bagworm moths look like your typical moth. They may also have been smuggled into your house from newly purchased products, such as plants, carpet, furniture, and more. They mate during the peak season and the larvae will overwinter in their bags so they survive the winter. Figure 2. Plaster bagworm, the destructive household pest Your email address will not be published. A fully developed larva caterpillar spans about 7mm in length with a dark head and white body. Since there are many different types of bagworm species, this depends on the type youre dealing with. 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. Not only will it lower the ambient temperatures inside, but itll also continually work to remove moisture from the air. Invest in a portable AC, ductless AC, or window unit to keep every inch of your house climate controlled. The case that it carries around wherever it feeds is what is immediately recognized. household casebearer - Phereoeca uterella Walsingham The compound eyes are prominent. 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. In South America, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham is known to be present in Brazil (state of Para) and Guyana. Most people will see bagworm activity during the warmer months such as August and September. Finally, an early synonym established by Meyrick was recognized as the most appropriate name, and the species was named Phereoeca dubitatrix (Meyrick 1932). They fly fairly well, but usually rest on walls, floor edges, or on webs of house spiders (theridiids) (Aiello 1979). If you dont suspect that you have a severe bagworm problem and that theyre just concentrated in one area, try manual removal. Theyre likely a different species altogether, but heres a tip. 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. Eggs are soft, pale bluish, and about 0.4 mm in diameter. 200 eggs may be laid by a single female over a period of a week, after which she dies. In most states there is only one generation per year. The caterpillar larvae are the larvae phase of their lifecycle. Put on a pair of garden gloves, goggles, and long sleeves because were going to get dirty! Learn more. 1956. I keep my apartment clean. 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. By late summer . These bugs often go unnoticed until populations reach massive levels. Check the. The adults mate and deposit their eggs which over time will result in these bagworms on your walls and ceilings. Theyre either on the floor crawling or on the walls . For example, Phereoeca allutella (Rebel) has been recorded in Hawaii, Panama, Canary Islands, Madeira, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, India, Java, and Samoa. But when woolen threads and woolen cloth were offered to the larvae "they ate eagerly". It also attacks certain deciduous trees such as black locust, honeylocust, and sycamore. Once the larvae hatch, the larvae begin to spin a silk strand and hang down from it. I created this site to offer my 8 years of natural pest control experience to the public. Like any other nuisance bug, plaster bagworms move into homes to find food and shelter. The case is constructed by the earliest larval stage (1st instar) before it hatches, and is enlarged by each successive instar. Clean up water spillages from using the sink, shower, etc. Theyre safe from the cold temperatures by hiding inside the silk case. Always empty your vacuum bags or dump out the canister. The differences are minimal and dont really matter for clearing the infestation anyway. 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. Plaster bagworms arent picky about their food source and will eat any organic matter left behind. See how there are multiple layers of defense to keep the plaster bagworms out of your home? Plaster bagworms like to accumulate in garages and attics where most homeowners dont have proper cooling equipment. I cant sleep. Interestingly enough, plaster bagworms dont consume food crumbs or leftovers you leave on the kitchen counter. This is a good way to organically eliminate the worms, but it can be a tedious project . Webs of insects such as booklice (Psocoptera) and webspinners (Embioptera) from tree trunks were also suitable food. But for everything else, they should be a minimal threat. Plaster bagworms breed and mate unusually compared to most other bugs you may be used to. Since most infestations are just one type of bagworm species, you may see a ton of them all dangling on the ceiling within the same room. These bugs go by many other names, with some people referring to them as dust worms or household case bearers. Youll want to make its secure and wont fall into the mixture and nothing can knock it over. Watson JR. 1939. For spiderwebs, clean your house regularly. Are you squeamish to even think about a caterpillar pulling a big bag around (and hiding in it)? The life cycle can continue until you have thousands and thousands of plaster bagworms to get rid of. Bagworms life cycle are differentiated into separate stages, much like any other organism. They dont actually eat plaster and only get their name because theyre commonly found in plaster, walls, and hanging from the ceiling. These compounds are effective at making quick work of bagworms and preventing future infestations. The bag will usually have a mixture of soil, felt, woolens, hair, sand, feces, fibers, and other debris they harvest from your home. You can make your own plan. The larva cuts a short slit along both edges to make that end flatter, which acts as a valve. Why you have them, how they spread, and when theyre most active. The larvae of all create protective cases out of plant materials or other debris. Microlepidoptera of Cuba. Both ends of the case are identical, and are used by the larva to hide. After mating the female lays 500 to 1000 eggs within her bag and then she dies. The females will deposit up to 200 eggs by attaching them to surfaces where the larvae are likely to have a food source. Due to its food habits the household casebearer is a potential household pest. But when woolen threads and woolen cloth were offered to the larvae "they ate eagerly". 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. If you dont have a severe infestation, you may be able to get rid of them using some natural DIY home remedies. Observations on species of Lepidoptera infesting stored products. Get into cracks and crevices and clean up all the organic matter wedged in there over time. The eggs hatched and the larvae created those infamous silk bags you see all over the place. until they pupate. Bulletin of Entomological Research 47: 251-346. There are some that believe that the real legs help it walk on floors, while the false legs that have hooks on the ends allow it to walk inside its protective case. After that, set up sticky traps in that area to catch any larvae that crawl across them. You can reduce the humidity in rooms where you see them dangling from the roof by doing the following: Set up box fans or air circulators to keep moisture moving (point them at windows and doors facing OUT of the room that has high humidity). The adult female moth does not leave the bag the caterpillar created. What time of year do you spray for bagworms? Theyre commonly found under webs, bedrooms, bathrooms, garages, rugs, carpets, curtains, joists, sills, foundations, subflooring, building exteriors, farm sheds, lawn furniture, farm machinery, tree trunks, and even under your home. If youre trying to get rid of plaster bagworms, consider cranking up the AC a bit more than normal. 2000. Original publication date September 1996. 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. For plaster bagworms, this is usually on ceilings, walls, and other humid areas with plenty of debris for the larvae to consume. 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 larva cuts a short slit along both edges to make that end flatter, which acts as a valve. 39-43. It can be found under spiderwebs, in bathrooms, bedrooms and garages. Though they can also be found in broad daylight. Sparrows are commonly chosen because theyre easy to attract and have a wide dispersion across the US. The silk they use can be wrapped around the twigs which can kill the tree in the future, especially if its not established. Biology: This moth is closely related to the Household Casebearer, which is discussed separately and which is a distinct species. 875 pp. Quick Tip: If you have a lot of wool clothing, dont be surprised if you find them destroying it. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Kea JW. Both of them are closely related species, but the casebearer and plaster bagworm are distinct species. You can buy one at a hardware store or online and position it somewhere where you always see moth activity. If you have a particularly challenging plaster bagworm problem and want some advice, send us a message. Theyre known to not attract any moths and provide a source of backyard lighting. The larva walks up a vertical surface and attaches the case at both ends with silk. Walking into a cool home is like stepping into a completely different environment! Some observations on the plaster bagworm, Tineola walsinghami Busck (Lepidoptera: Tineidae). This is like an impermeable layer of protection from the elements- including liquids. Survival is the main priority, and houses provide everything that they need to prosper. It is possible that records ofPhereoeca uterellamight be misidentified as this species or vice versa. Creighton JT. Finally, stick to a routine vacuuming schedule. Leaving them in there allows them to escape. The larvae of the species of Tineidae of economic importance. 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. You can quickly remove a ton of bags hanging on your ceiling by using a garden hose with a spray nozzle. Bagworm is a caterpillar that molts into a moth in the adult stage. If you want to prevent these flying insects from laying eggs in or around your house, youll need to reduce the lighting outside. 1979. The larvae are moved to nearby trees and shrubs with the help of wind. There are many types and brands of sticky tape and traps. Aiello (1979) indicates that the number of instars may vary among individuals of both sexes. 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. Reviewed June 2020. Any place where spiderwebs accumulate will become a feasting ground for plaster bagworms. Bosik JJ et al. I find that simply using a pen taped to rod or pole is enough. If you absolutely need a light to be overnight, consider replacing them with a yellow bulb. Adults at rest hold their wings tented over the body. A larva of the household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham, which is partially emerged from its case and using its true legs to walk on a surface. 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. Hinton HE, Bradley JD. State of Florida, Department of Agriculture, Tallahassee. The entire cycle from egg to adult averages 74.2 days (62 to 86 days). All have wingless (or nearly wingless) adult females that do not leave their bags, and the males are usually drab blackish shades. Food habits of Tineola uterella. Their eggs hatch when temperatures pick up after the winter. 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. Males are smaller (wing span: 7 to 9 mm) and thinner than the female, with a less distinctive wing pattern. Entomologica Americana 13: 151-203. 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. They are really gross and now its a phobia for me. The inside of the arch is lined exclusively by silk, and is gradually extended to form a tunnel, while the larva stays inside. Regardless, the techniques to get rid of them remain largely the same and are effective for both. I find that using a combo of various repellents, bagworm removal methods, sticky traps, and natural deterrents work best.