This allows them to quickly reproduce and build up to extreme numbers. Do what works best for you. The eggs of the bagworms hatch around the springtime. They may have other suggestions for the best time to spray. The females are usually more patterned than males. Borror DJ, Triplehorn CA, Johnson NF. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment and Ill get back to you. How to get rid of plaster bagworms naturally, Use a bug zapper to kill adult bagworm moths. Position the desktop lamp above the container and direct the light right into the liquid. Bagworms will eat wool, but they dont eat other materials used in clothing like nylon, cotton, spandex, and polyester. Egg: After mating, females lay their eggs on crevices and the junction of walls and floors, cementing them on debris. [6] Systematics [ edit] Ten subfamilies [1] and about 240 genera are recognized among the bagworms. Sometimes its a day or two and I dont see them and then suddenly I For insect pest species, Pheno Forecasts are based on published growing degree day (GDD) thresholds for key points in species life cycles. The bags gradually enlarge as they feed during the summer to house the growing caterpillar. Common Names of Insects & Related Organisms. Another related species of case-bearing moths is Praececodes atomosella (tecophora) (Walker 1863). University of Florida, Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 619. 39-43. Three sets of legs help the caterpillar walk on horizontal surfaces. These become the host plants for the larvae for further development in the moth life cycle. For plaster bagworms, this is usually on ceilings, walls, and other humid areas with plenty of debris for the larvae to consume. Two hundred eggs may be oviposited by a single female over a period of a week, after which she dies. You also may scrape your paint finish, so get in there by hand. As the worm grows it spins a silken bag around its body, camouflaged with bits and pieces of the host foliage. Watson JR. 1939. Bulletin No. These little buggers are truly an interesting pest with their distinct life phase and a big old case they lug around behind them. Ive been here six years and suddenly these things started to While they might be small, a large population can wreak havoc on all of your prized garments. Theyll emerge when temperatures pick up in the springtime, so the best time to find a bunch of them is during the winter. It also attacks certain deciduous trees such as black locust, honeylocust, and sycamore. Spray early in the morning or late at night to avoid the active daytime hours of bees. I still dont so You dont want to harm them as theyre a beneficial insect. Get a vacuum and suck up all the webs, dust, and other debris in the area, especially on the ceiling. Always empty your vacuum bags or dump out the canister. Moth traps can help catch the adult bagworm moths and reduce the number of progeny in the future. 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. Bagworms life cycle are differentiated into separate stages, much like any other organism. Phereoeca uterella is a species of moth belonging to the family Tineidae. Very small particles of sand, soil, iron rust, insect droppings, arthropod remains, hairs, and other fibers are added on the outside. However, theyre still larvae destined to become moths. The caterpillar larvae rarely can be seen by people. The larva is not usually seen by most people. Anything below 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit should be more than enough to deter plaster bagworms from coming in. So if you have a lot of bagworms, this is why. Figure 5. They can show up in huge numbers rapidly if you dont start a pest management program. This stops the bags from getting up your walls. Lowering the relative humidity makes the environment less favorable to bagworms. The new moth emerges around noon, leaving the pupal case exposed on the outer case. Females are bigger and wider while males are smaller and thinner. Adults at rest hold their wings tented over the body. If you dont suspect that you have a severe bagworm problem and that theyre just concentrated in one area, try manual removal. The first record of this species came from Lord Walsingham in 1897 (Busck, 1933). Are plaster bagworms harmful to humans? Specific information of Phereoeca uterella biology is limited. If you live in the South, you know the stark difference a powerful air conditioner can make. Appear and theyre a phobia now. Plaster bagworm, the destructive household pest The white-grey cocoon-like things on your walls and ceilings can cause damage to your belongings and should be removed to prevent infestation.. The case that it carries around wherever it feeds is what is immediately recognized. This explains why theyre commonly found in environments with already high moisture content such as Florida and other coastal states. The case that it carries around wherever it feeds is what is immediately recognized. Find one that doesnt damage your paint and try it out. Remember each bagworm you kill means a lower chance of them mating and producing more. It is possible that records of Phereoeca uterella might be misidentified as this species or vice versa. Toss them right into the mixture, which will kill them upon contact, and repeat until you see no more bags on your roof! But when woolen threads and woolen cloth were offered to the larvae "they ate eagerly". I may be able to help you out! You only want to pass the sponge edges over the eggs and push them off- dont CRUSH them. Since webs are largely transparent and invisible, you can use a flashlight and shine it around darker corners of the room to make sure you dont miss any. 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. They immediately begin feeding on host plants. The eggs look like small blue ovals with a pale tint and are less than 0.5mm in length. When many homeowners see these insects, theyll instinctively sweep them off the wall and call it a day. 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. 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 compound eyes are prominent. Eggs are soft, pale blue, and about 0.4 mm in diameter. Although this isnt the most efficient way of controlling and managing them, its a safe and quick way to bring down their numbers. Hetrick (1957) found that the most common and abundant food of the household casebearer in Florida is old spider webs, consumed in large quantities. Inside your house, protective cocoons can appear anywhere. The thing to note is that when you see it hanging upside down, its likely not pupating yet. The host plants can be a variety of trees . Males are smaller (wing span: 7 to 9 mm) and thinner than the female, with a less distinctive wing pattern. This is a good way to organically eliminate the worms, but it can be a tedious project . Adult: Adult females have a wing span 10 to 13 mm long. After a while, the species in the peninsula was recognized as T. walsinghami. 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 mainly survive on wool and spiderwebs. Clean up water spillages from using the sink, shower, etc. The moth larva is protected from the elements through the case and can be found enclosed within the material. Get some quotes. This may help prevent the future generation of bagworms from developing because the Bt eats up the larvae and prevents them from spawning. Another related species of case-bearing moths is Praececodes atomosella (tecophora) (Walker 1863). Theyre likely a different species altogether, but heres a tip. Read some reviews and buy one, then use it as directed. Work with the birds that are already in your neighborhood and find out how to get more for them to your garden. Fast. This continues their lifecycle and propagation, which continues to spread bagworms throughout your property. Visit the EDIS website athttps://edis.ifas.ufl.edu. Adult females have a wing span 10 to 13 mm long. Theres no single foolproof technique. If you want to prevent these flying insects from laying eggs in or around your house, youll need to reduce the lighting outside. I dont ever see any hanging from State of Florida, Department of Agriculture, Tallahassee. I find that simply using a pen taped to rod or pole is enough. 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. Check the. However, thats an ineffective way to get rid of plaster bagworms because it doesnt address the problem at hand! 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. Do they bite? New York. Why you have them, how they spread, and when theyre most active. Life Cycle (Back to Top) Eggs require more than 10 days to hatch. Males are smaller (wing span: 7 to 9 mm) and thinner than the female, with a less distinctive wing pattern. They might stay on your exterior door or near a porch light. 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. 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.. At the tip of each proleg there is an ellipse formed by 23 to 25 very small crochets (a small hook). The household casebearer,Phereoeca uterella, is a moth in the Tineidae family of Lepidoptera. And if all else fails, consult a professional exterminator. Perhaps for this reason, the accepted common name ofPhereoeca uterellais now listed as the household casebearer, instead of plaster bagworm (Bosik et al. However, They start as a caterpillar (known as the larvae) and crawl around with the silk bag tied to their backs. 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. 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. This puts the power of all of them into one powerful treatment plan. They can be damaging and destroy significant parts of the tree which results in damaged foliage. As mentioned earlier, these bugs don't eat cotton or nylon. 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. 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. 1997. What is the best chemical to kill bagworms? Female adults will keep their bags, which has her pupal case and this is where the eggs are deposited. The insect might use nearby lint, sand, or even dry plaster debris. 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. There are six to seven larval instars that require about 50 days to mature. Even though mating, hatching, and lifecycle times vary depending on the environment, all the bagworm species in YOUR environment should have nearly the same event times during their lifecycle. Be sure to use the right food for the right bird species. TQ, Im having serious problems with bagworms. Adult female household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham. The complete life cycle of plaster bagworms contains 6-7 instars and takes about 40-50 days to complete. Control of four household insects. Many species in this family are casebearers and a few are indoor pests of hair fibers, woolens, silks, felt, and similar materials. Theres a visible tuft of hair on the head and wing edges. Photograph by Juan A. Villanueva-Jimnez, University of Florida. In northern Illinois, bagworm caterpillars hatch in early June in most years. Then place it on the floor and grab a ladder. Plaster Bagworm 6,145 views May 5, 2021 Phereoeca uterella is a species of moth belonging to the family Tineidae. You can tell them apart by their colors, patternings, and size. 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. A fully developed larva has a case 8 to 14 mm long and 3 to 5 mm wide. The household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella, requires high humidity to complete its development, a limiting factor for its dispersion throughout the rest of the country. Hetrick LA. Observations on species of Lepidoptera infesting stored products. You can control and manage plaster bagworms in your home and garden using a variety of DIY home remedies. However, another name change occurred and the current official common and scientific names for this species are the household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham. What is the life cycle of a plaster Bagworm? You can keep bagworms away by using a combination of home remedies. Even though itll kill the baby bagworm, youll be left with a bunch of egg debris and bagworm guts all over your walls. You might also find them hanging off of exterior stucco, near outdoor lights, or underneath chairs and benches. A fully developed larva has a case 8 to 14 mm long and 3 to 5 mm wide. These compounds are effective at making quick work of bagworms and preventing future infestations. 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. The cocoon is made up of silk fiber and other organic materials. Bagworms arent exactly as pleasant as a butterfly, but theyre not too difficult to get rid of. Entomological Society of America. 2000. A braconid wasp, Apanteles carpatus (Say), parasitizes larvae of case-bearing moths, killing the larva before pupation. I started off with a nasty fly problem, and was very interested in finding ways to get rid of them without having to use harmful chemicals and pesticides. There are two pairs of buccal appendages called palps. Theyll eat old webs because of the silk fiber necessary to produce their case. Theyll fall into the dish soap mixture and drown because of the soap. Finally, an early synonym established by Meyrick was recognized as the most appropriate name, and the species was named Phereoeca dubitatrix (Meyrick 1932). The remaining mouth parts are reduced, and adults do not feed. The soap adds a high surface tension to the water, which makes it very difficult for them to escape once they land in it. 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. This is true during the period of their lifecycle when they pupate in the larvae case. The bagworm is a perennial insect pest of arborvitae, juniper, pine, spruce, and many other evergreen species (including Christmas trees). Bagworms can be tracked through the different seasons. If you absolutely need a light to be overnight, consider replacing them with a yellow bulb. The cases are constructed by the larval (caterpillar) stage and often attract attention when found in homes. Also, dont try to attract some bird species that are not native to your area. Some bagworms will eat fibers such as rugs, furniture, clothing, and other natural fibers- especially wool. Dish soap does indeed kill plaster bagworms and can be used as a home remedy for a pesticide. Pour some into a spray bottle or garden sprayer and then prime it up. Do you see tiny, ovular cases that look like pumpkin seeds hanging from your roof? Spring - Egg hatch occurs from late May to early June, at which time the larvae crawl out in search of food. Climb up there safely, and start picking them off your ceiling. If youre finding bagworms in your trees, bushes, or plants outside, they may not be plaster bagworms. Also, apply sticky traps outdoors to catch any adult moths. She remains inside while the winged, male moth does emerge to fly about the infested tree to locate the waiting female. As a result, large populations of plaster bagworms can become a massive problem for Floridians. Theyre safe from the cold temperatures by hiding inside the silk case. However, bagworms are moths in the family Psychidae. Busck A. Life history and behavior of the case-bearer. If you have bagworm infestations in your trees, this is likely a different type of species- not a plaster bagworm. An Introduction to the Study of Insects. There are known species that will feed on a variety of trees, such as: Youll often find them eating or hanging on the twist, branches, and leaves and may appear in huge numbers. Bagworm cocoons ('bags') dangling from trees. With each molt, the larva enlarges its case. The tunnel is closed beneath by the larva to form a tube free from the substrate, and open at both ends. The eggs then remain stuck inside the bag, which is then usually found on your ceiling, walls, and yard. The entire cycle from egg to adult averages 74.2 days (62 to 86 days). Plaster bagworms are found in coaster states where temperatures are high and humidity is prevalent. Plaster bagworms like to accumulate in garages and attics where most homeowners dont have proper cooling equipment. 1956. They dont actually eat plaster and only get their name because theyre commonly found in plaster, walls, and hanging from the ceiling. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers. Bosik JJ et al. Pupa: Pupation occurs inside the case. Plaster bagworms arent inherently dangerous. That said, these bugs can cause a lot of damage around your house. The inside of the arch is lined exclusively by silk, and is gradually extended to form a tunnel, while the larva stays inside. The largest cases are about 8-14mm in length with a 3-4mm width. Life cycle of bagworms In the end of the summer the bagworm caterpillars stop feeding and seal each bag shut after securely tying it to a twig, stem or even nearby structure. Of course, wasps themselves arent friendly and you definitely dont want them hanging around for too long. Though they can also be found in broad daylight. Youre getting rid of plaster bagworms by getting rid of OTHER pests first. Abandoned webs are one of the prime food sources of bagworms. Each constructs a small bag around its hind parts with silk and plant material. The differences are minimal and dont really matter for clearing the infestation anyway. Egg: In late summer and fall, the female lays up to 1,000 eggs in her case. Some people and pets may be sensitive to essential oils, talcum powder, diatomaceous earth, boric acid, etc. It is silk-lined inside and open at both ends. Since there are many different types of bagworm species, this depends on the type youre dealing with. Moths will be attracted to the lamp and gravitate towards it. They fly fairly well, but usually rest on walls, floor edges, or on webs of house spiders (theridiids) (Aiello 1979). This is when the bag usually sits on a vertical ledge youll commonly see it stuck to your walls. Bags on spruce will look completely different from those on arborvitae or honey locust because the host plant material is incorporated into the bag. The case is constructed by the earliest larval stage (1st instar) before it hatches, and is enlarged by each successive instar. In most states there is only one generation per year. Adults at rest hold their wings tented over the body. The Entomologist 89: 4247. Case of household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham. Finally, stick to a routine vacuuming schedule. Florida Entomologist 40: 145146. After a while, the species in the peninsula was recognized as Tineola walsinghami. Most people know this species by the name plaster bagworm. Bagworm cocoons are the nests where the caterpillars live. Insect Management Guide for Bagworms and Clothes Moths (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IG090). 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. Plaster bagworms breed and mate unusually compared to most other bugs you may be used to. Due to its food habits the household casebearer is a potential household pest. If you want to learn how to get rid of plaster bagworms, youve come to the right place. CRC Press. Use a longer pole so you can avoid getting on a ladder. Watson JR. 1939. In Florida, this braconid and an ichneumonid wasp,Lymeon orbum(Say), were reared from the household casebearer (Hetrick 1957). Consider hiring a professional exterminator if you have specific questions on using natural predators to handle plaster bagworms. The labial palps extend a little beyond the head vestiture (dense covering of hairs). Regardless, the techniques to get rid of them remain largely the same and are effective for both. The larva walks up a vertical surface and attaches the case at both ends with silk. Be careful about leaving the lamp on overnight. Read some reviews. The larva is a caterpillar that carries the case/bag along with it as it forages. well, eep up the nice work fellows. Watson (1939) corroborated the preference of Phereoeca uterella for woolen goods of all kinds. 1933. XVI: Two new genera of clothes moths (Tineidae). Then spray the bagworm and the dish detergent will enter the bag. No method is as simple, free, and convenient as removing them by hand. LIFE CYCLE There is incomplete information about the life cycle of this insect in . American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico. With each molt, the larva enlarges its case. Generally, they will stay close to wherever food is near. Old cases of its own species were chewed as well. 156, new series. It probably wont move anywhere, but may nudge or flinch. Both ends of the case are identical and are used by the larva to hide. The larva builds the case before it hatches and each instar forces a larger case. And the trick isnt to smear them because thatll just break the egg. In 1933, August Busck proposed the name Tineola walsinghami for the Virgin Island insects of Walsingham. If you suffer from allergies, the mere presence of these bugs can cause problems as well. 1956. They remain in the pupal stage an average of 15.6 days (range of 11 to 23 days). Birds are also an effective means of managing bagworm populations. The eggs hatched and the larvae created those infamous silk bags you see all over the place. Meanwhile, hooked false legs help it turn around inside the casing. They have two long visible antennas and a wingspan of about 12mm in length. The larval case is a slender, flat, fusiform or spindle-shaped case which resembles a pumpkin seed. After they hatch, the small larvae emerge and will begin to feed. Crawling insects are not effective because they rarely go upside down on your ceiling and have the ability to puncture the casing of the larvae bagworm. Plus, its a lot safer compared to chemical compounds which often leave behind nasty and dangerous residues. You can also make your own moth trap at home. 2000. Turn off the porch and security lights (especially at night) to ensure that the moths stay away. The adults mate and deposit their eggs which over time will result in these bagworms on your walls and ceilings. 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. The larvae will emerge from their case and walk around bringing the case alongside them. Your feedback is how I write more improved and detailed pest guides. Some heavy infestations will require commercial pesticides to handle. After mating the female lays 500 to 1000 eggs within her bag and then she dies. The antennae are filiform (threadlike), as long as the wings, and are held back over the body. Were happy to help. Use your machines attachments to suck up spiderwebs and plaster bagworm sacs as you see them. She then leaves her bag and drops to the ground; the eggs overwinter.