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SW Iowa Bagworm Specialists:
Bagworms Vs. Webworms
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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. Inside
the bag the caterpillar transforms to the moth stage. The adult female moth does not leave the bag the caterpillar created.
She remains inside while the winged, male moth does emerge to fly about the infested tree to locate the waiting female.
After mating, the female lays 500 - 1000 eggs within her bag and then she dies. The eggs remain in the bags on the trees
till the following spring and hatch about mid-June to start the cycle over.
Bagworms require immediate attention, while webworm is not a serious threat. We have experience in finding and treating bagworms. Bagworms should not be ignored. If you own affected species, mark
your calender to check for small caterpillars in June and treat then if caterpillars are present. The bags hanging on
the trees now contain the eggs for the next generation. They will hatch in mid-June. They can be removed from
small trees by hand and discarded anytime between now and June. Some people find it easier to use scissors to cut bags
from the trees rather than trying to pull them off and damage the foliage. Removed bags can be burned if open burning
is allowed, buried, or soaked in a bucket of detergent water. Handpicking the entire population on a limited number of small trees may be possible, but
if handpicking is not practical, infested plants should be sprayed as soon as the eggs hatch and small larvae begin feeding.
Chemical control becomes less effective as the season progresses because of the increased size of the larva and its bag. |
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