Bagworm - Nursery IPM

**Bagworm (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis)**

Eggs overwinter in 1-2.5″ pinecone-shaped cases or “bags” that the caterpillar forms and suspends from host plants
Small black/gray and amber larvae hatch in the early summer and immediately begin feeding while constructing their cases, in which they reside
Growth and molting continue through summer, until larvae stop feeding around mid-August, when they close the case with silk to pupate
During early to mid-fall, pupation ends and 1-inch long, fur-covered, black adult male moths with clear wings emerge
Adult females remain in their bags and release pheromones to attract males
Females deposit 500-1000 eggs in their bag, and adults die after reproduction
One generation per year
Causes complete defoliation, brown spots on leaves, and leaf skeletonization, as well as canopy thinning
Host plants: over 125 trees and shrubs
- Evergreen – arborvitae, juniper, cedar, fir, pine, spruce
- Deciduous – birch, boxelder, elm, willow, sycamore, black locust, honey locust,persimmon, poplar, maple, sweet gum

Natural predators: birds, parasitoids, insects, fungi (Apergillus parasiticus, Beauveria bassiana, Parcilomyceslanosum)
Most often spread by transporting infested nursery stock – check plants before moving or planting
Early detection is important to prevent spread
Reduce plant stress
Remove egg cases and drop them into soapy water
Pheromone traps

Contact insecticides:
- Carbamates [1A]: carbaryl
- Pyrethroids [3A]: –thrins
- Oxadiazine [22A]: indoxacarb
Systemic insecticides:
- Diamides [28]: chlorantraniliprole ,cyantraniliprole, cyclaniliprole, cyclaniliprole +flonicamid [29]
Considerations:
- Will harm non-target species