Hetrick (1957) found that the most common and abundant food of the household casebearer in Florida is old spider webs, consumed in large quantities. After all, they can leave behind a streak of pigment that can be a pain to clean up (and damage sensitive surfaces). Climb up there safely, and start picking them off your ceiling. Common Names of Insects & Related Organisms. The larva is not usually seen by most people. Revised July 2005, April 2010, April 2014, and April 2017. Plaster bagworms are nothing but the larvae of moths. American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico. The larva builds the case before it hatches and each instar forces a larger case. Without any food to survive, plaster bagworms have no choice but to vacate your home and look elsewhere for food. Plaster bagworm life cycle Bagworms have a two-part life cycle. 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 caterpillar will pupate and does this inside the case. And once they hatch into their adult counterparts, they become moths and can fly throughout your home which can lead to more damage. The thing Im frightened most about is how they appear out of thin air. Bags of mature larvae are up to 2" (5 cm) long and 0.5" (1.2 cm) wide. The silk they use can be wrapped around the twigs which can kill the tree in the future, especially if its not established. Scales are also visible. Bagworms life cycle are differentiated into separate stages, much like any other organism. The new moth emerges around noon, leaving the pupal case exposed on the outer case. 1997. I keep my apartment clean. Your email address will not be published. If youre trying to get rid of plaster bagworms, consider cranking up the AC a bit more than normal. This is like an impermeable layer of protection from the elements- including liquids. In Florida, this braconid and an ichneumonid wasp,Lymeon orbum(Say), were reared from the household casebearer (Hetrick 1957). Hinton HE. Control of three household insects. Luckily, these bugs will typically leave your cotton and nylon alone. See how there are multiple layers of defense to keep the plaster bagworms out of your home? If you have a part of your house thats not insulated or cooled, consider taking steps to change that. Namely, vespid wasps, woodpeckers, sapsuckers, and other predatory flying insects will eat them up without hesitation. You should turn off or reduce your patio lights where possible. Boca Raton. Bags on spruce will look completely different from those on arborvitae or honey locust because the host plant material is incorporated into the bag. They immediately begin feeding on host plants. Watson JR. 1939. 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. Introduction The household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella, is a moth in the Tineidae family of Lepidoptera. Another related species of case-bearing moths is Praececodes atomosella (tecophora) (Walker 1863). It can be found under spiderwebs, in bathrooms, bedrooms and garages. The larvae are moved to nearby trees and shrubs with the help of wind. Wing venation is very important for genera identification, and was described by Hinton and Bradley in 1956. Entomological Society of America. This puts the power of all of them into one powerful treatment plan. I thought they were joking St in my clothes and furniture but Ive noticed them in my ceiling and I am terrified. The entire cycle from egg to adult averages 74.2 days (62 to 86 days). After the first case is completed, the larva starts moving around, pulling its case behind. Braconid wasps are effective at killing the larvae and will stop them from pupating. 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. The larval case is a slender, flat, fusiform, or spindle-shaped case which resembles a cantaloupe or pumpkin seed. The larva, or caterpillar, is rarely seen because it spends most of its time inside that protective casing. Go ahead and mix a bucket full of water and a few drops of dish soap. Two hundred eggs may be oviposited by a single female over a period of a week, after which she dies. Plaster bagworms have a diet of wool, spiderwebs, and even the discarded cases of other bagworms. well, eep up the nice work fellows. Do you see tiny, ovular cases that look like pumpkin seeds hanging from your roof? It is possible that records of Phereoeca uterella might be misidentified as this species or vice versa. Aiello A. Bagworm cocoons are the nests where the caterpillars live. Food habits of Tineola uterella. They fly fairly well, but usually rest on walls, floor edges, or on webs of house spiders (theridiids) (Aiello 1979). Eggs are soft, pale blue, and about 0.4 mm in diameter. Meanwhile, hooked false legs help it turn around inside the casing. 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. The larvae of the species of Tineidae of economic importance. Hetrick LA. 1956. By the end of this article, you should have everything you need to know to manage, control, and eliminate these pests. The larva has three pair of well-developed, brown legs. They remain in the pupal stage an average of 15.6 days (range of 11 to 23 days). These pests thrive in humid environments. She then leaves her bag and drops to the ground; the eggs overwinter. Its primarily white and has a brown head. The larva has three pair of well-developed, brown legs. This is true during the period of their lifecycle when they pupate in the larvae case. Use a longer pole so you can avoid getting on a ladder. In 1933, August Busck proposed the name Tineola walsinghami for the Virgin Island insects of Walsingham. Sharyn. 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. Egg: After mating, females lay their eggs on crevices and the junction of walls and floors, cementing them on debris. 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 are quirky little pests that can easily go unnoticed. Female adults will keep their bags, which has her pupal case and this is where the eggs are deposited. 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. They start as a caterpillar (known as the larvae) and crawl around with the silk bag tied to their backs. 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. The household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella, is a moth in the Tineidae family of Lepidoptera. The eggs are found on crevices, cracks, and joints of doors, walls, and baseboards. 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. An Introduction to the Study of Insects. 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. These bugs go by many other names, with some people referring to them as dust worms or household case bearers. Youll often find 1-2 spindle bags hanging from the twigs. The case is constructed by the earliest larval stage (1st instar) before it hatches, and is enlarged by each successive instar. Theyre the larvae form of moths and have two distinct phases of their lifecycle. Life Cycle Management Common name: . Bagworms will eat wool, but they dont eat other materials used in clothing like nylon, cotton, spandex, and polyester. Life Cycle (Back to Top) Eggs require more than 10 days to hatch. Always try, assess, and adjust as needed. The caterpillars will drag their casing along the wall and set up shop near wall corners. Plus, you dont have to deal with the bug guts if you squish one yourself. Take a broom to those high corners near the ceiling. Be careful not to scrub too hard as some paint finishes are sensitive to soap. Observations on species of Lepidoptera infesting stored products. Get some quotes. And of course, be safe with anything that can puncture. In South America, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham is known to be present in Brazil (state of Para) and Guyana. They are really gross and now its a phobia for me. Sometimes its a day or two and I dont see them and then suddenly I 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. Plaster Bagworm Life Cycle Plaster bagworms start as caterpillar-like larvae that hatch in the early summer. Life Cycle Bagworm, like all moths, undergoes complete metamorphosis with four stages. If spiders have nothing to eat, then they wont spin a web. You may see dozens of bags hanging on your roof during this time. In 1933, August Busck proposed the name Tineola walsinghami for the Virgin Island insects of Walsingham. After a month-long metamorphosis process, the moths will ditch their casing and search for males to mate. Adult: Adult females have a wing span 10 to 13 mm long. Ive been here six years and suddenly these things started to The caterpillar larvae rarely can be seen by people. Florida Entomologist 40: 145146. Another microbe you can easily wipe out bagworms is spinosad. Entomologica Americana 13: 151-203. There are visible black or gray markings on the forewings. Revised July 2005, April 2010, April 2014, and April 2017. There are six to seven larval instars that require about 50 days to mature. Orkin Termite Treatment, Pest Control & Exterminator Service | Orkin I share handy DIY pest techniques I come across here to help out others (and possibly save them from a mental breakdown). Plaster bagworms are easily identified by the silk case they carry. No method is as simple, free, and convenient as removing them by hand. In constructing the case, the larva secretes silk to build an arch attached at both ends to the substrate. Bagworm is a caterpillar that molts into a moth in the adult stage. Specific information of Phereoeca uterella biology is limited. This is best used for bagworms found in plants and trees. University of Florida, Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 619. And then utilize these plants to keep the bagworms away: Whatever zone you live in, you should be able to find a few plants. Life history and behavior of the case-bearer. The larva has true legs and will emerge from the case to walk across surfaces, dragging the case with it like a snail. The antennae are filiform (threadlike), as long as the wings, and are held back over the body. Youll need to get a lengthy object with a pointed end to make punctures. Although this isnt the most efficient way of controlling and managing them, its a safe and quick way to bring down their numbers. 1954. However, the specimens that he collected from the Virgin Islands were misidentified. Just a small perforation is enough for the dish soap to kill the bagworm. Fast. The eggs are small and look like pale-bluish seeds that are stuck on surfaces, usually in a dark area or hidden from view. The casebearer (AKA casemaking clothes moth) also will make a bag for the larvae which can be found throughout the home. You can also make your own moth trap at home. The thing to note is that when you see it hanging upside down, its likely not pupating yet. If you have bagworms that have built up extensively, you may notice damaged structural materials or cosmetic damage to your home. However, another name change occurred and the current official common and scientific names for this species are the household casebearer, Phereoeca uterella Walsingham. After a while, the species in the peninsula was recognized as T. walsinghami. 1989. The compound eyes are prominent. Theyre either on the floor crawling or on the walls . When it comes to how to organically kill bagworms, the birds do it best by going around the tree and eating the worms. Adult females have a wing span 10 to 13 mm long. In most states there is only one generation per year. Bagworms can be tracked through the different seasons. This is when theyre most active and also the hardest time to get rid of them because their numbers are in full force. After mating the female lays 500 to 1000 eggs within her bag and then she dies. You can also use a long pole to scrape them off, but this could result in your crushing them which can damage your ceiling. If not, move up the ladder and try the more extensive remedies to get rid of them. Some bagworms will eat fibers such as rugs, furniture, clothing, and other natural fibers- especially wool. Abandoned webs are one of the prime food sources of bagworms. When youre out of ideas, consult a professional (licensed) pest control company. Learn more. Three sets of legs help the caterpillar walk on horizontal surfaces. Moths are attracted to light, especially at night when your outdoor lights are the only thing that lights up the evening sky. Then spray the bagworm and the dish detergent will enter the bag. The insect might use nearby lint, sand, or even dry plaster debris. The silk lining allows orifices at both ends. Webs can be found on the roof, walls, corners, baseboards, cracks, foundation, and more. But when woolen threads and woolen cloth were offered to the larvae "they ate eagerly". In most cases, plaster bagworms start their life outdoors. You can protect your garden from bagworms by using moth-repellent plants like lavender, marigold, and mugworts (see the list above). Start by using the techniques listed here that you can do right away. Once the larvae hatch, the larvae begin to spin a silk strand and hang down from it. I may be able to help you out! Preferably one that doesnt damage your paint finish. Regardless, the techniques to get rid of them remain largely the same and are effective for both. Read some reviews and buy one, then use it as directed. For spiderwebs, clean your house regularly. The bagworm life cycle encompasses four stages - egg, larvae, pupal, and mature adult. Use a vacuum cleaner or dish soap to dislodge them and get rid of them. Turn off the porch and security lights (especially at night) to ensure that the moths stay away. I just moved here four months ago. 1957. Youll want to make its secure and wont fall into the mixture and nothing can knock it over. Position the desktop lamp above the container and direct the light right into the liquid. 1956. Do they bite? Hello t all, the contents existing at this site are really awesome for people knowledge, Plaster bagworms like to accumulate in garages and attics where most homeowners dont have proper cooling equipment. Your vacuum cleaner is your best friend against plaster bagworms. Plaster bagworms might not bite, but theyre certainly not a pest you should ignore. They are easiest to identify by the bags they construct as they feed. 156, new series. Most people will see bagworm activity during the warmer months such as August and September. While they might be small, a large population can wreak havoc on all of your prized garments. Use a standard shop vac or upright vacuum with a hose attachment and suck up any bagworms you come across. 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 trees will recover, but sick or younger trees may be destroyed by bagworms. Adults at rest hold their wings tented over the body. Once the eggs hatch, the larva spins a silk strand that hangs down it. Theres no single method that always works. At the tip of each proleg there is an ellipse formed by 23 to 25 very small crochets (a small hook). Perhaps for this reason, the accepted common name ofPhereoeca uterellais now listed as the household casebearer, instead of plaster bagworm (Bosik et al. The adult female will deposit hundreds of eggs which hatch into larvae. After all, the last thing you need is harmful toxic residues floating around your home just to keep some bagworms out. proper identification by a specialist is advised, because case-bearing species other than Phereoeca uterella might be in those states. It is commonly known as the plaster bagworm but as the term "bagworm" m. Males are smaller (wing span: 7 to 9 mm) and thinner than the female, with a less distinctive wing pattern. They can show up in huge numbers rapidly if you dont start a pest management program. 3943. How to get rid of plaster bagworms naturally, Use a bug zapper to kill adult bagworm moths. An adult female moth that has mated has found its way into your home and laid eggs on your walls. They have two long visible antennas and a wingspan of about 12mm in length. After they hatch, the small larvae emerge and will begin to feed. Many species in this family are casebearers and a few are indoor pests of hair fibers, woolens, silks, felt and similar materials. Microlepidoptera of Cuba. Eventually, the plaster bagworm becomes a moth. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers. Rooms or areas that are dirty or ignored will be swarming with empty cases and live larvae. Gently stir until you see the suds appear. The household casebearer,Phereoeca uterella, is a moth in the Tineidae family of Lepidoptera. Plaster Bagworm 101: How To Get Rid Of Them Quickly, How To Get Rid Of Plaster Bagworms In Your House, 21 Plants That Repel Wasps (Highly Effective), How To Get Rid Of Skinks: Everything You Need To Know, How To Keep Fruit Flies Away From Bananas (Simple Tips). It was found in Gainesville, Florida, and has been recorded as present in the southern contiguous US, Hawaii, Mexico, Bermuda, Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Europe, Africa, Malaya, Australia, and other localities. Old cases of its own species were chewed as well. Remember each bagworm you kill means a lower chance of them mating and producing more. They start appearing in spring and the population increases over time until august and September. The females lay more than 200 eggs in a small, protective casing. Pheno Forecast maps predict key life cycle stages in invasive and pest species, to improve management efficacy. Due to the active international exchange of goods, other case-bearing moths may occur in Florida in the future. Each molt results in a larger case. Due to its food habits the household casebearer is a potential household pest. After mating, females lay their eggs on crevices and the junction of walls and floors, cementing them on debris. Insect Management Guide for Bagworms and Clothes Moths (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IG090). As mentioned earlier, these bugs don't eat cotton or nylon. The most identifying characteristic is the bag for which it gets its namesake! The females are usually more patterned than males. They have very basic needs and will just need some food to sustain themselves. But that doesnt mean you should ignore them. I keep a very clean home and already dislike bugs so i dont and never had webs or spiders. You may find them attached to branches, twigs, plants, and other debris outside with a small piece of silk. 1954. Once you lift the sponge from the surface, it allows eggs to get caught UNDER it which will smear them. 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. Their eggs hatch when temperatures pick up after the winter. The larvae part of their life cycle consists of walking around and foraging for food. Get a vacuum and suck up all the webs, dust, and other debris in the area, especially on the ceiling. Plaster bagworms are the tiny larvae you find on your walls and ceiling. In fact, one female wasp can kill up to 300 bagworm eggs within its short 7 to 14 day lifespan. Bulletin No. Things like deck lights, patio lights, pathway markers, security lights, and any other light source thats not necessary should be turned off. The Entomologist 89: 42-47. Creighton JT. Theyre mainly attracted to a stable food source with minimal disturbances. 2000. Even if you sweep away spiderwebs, the bugs food source only ends up on the floor. Make a soap water mixture and then grab an old sponge that youre about to throw out. Also, dont try to attract some bird species that are not native to your area. 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.. Entomologica Americana 13: 151203. The eggs can incubate over the winter before hatching into a large population of young plaster bagworms! The anterior crochets are bigger and broader than posterior ones by one third, which is a good detail for identification. The anterior crochets are bigger and broader than posterior ones by one third, which is a good detail for identification. One second I look and nothing and I turn around for 5 seconds and one is on the floor or wall crawling. Work with the birds that are already in your neighborhood and find out how to get more for them to your garden. Aiello (1979) succeeded in rearing specimens of the related species Phereoeca allutella by offering them dead mosquitoes and her own hair. You can get rid of household casebearers using similar home remedies to bagworms such as essential oils, manual removal, soapy water, and vacuuming. 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. Manual picking or vacuuming of cases and spider web removal should be enough to keep this species under control. Plaster bagworms are unwelcome guests that can quickly wreak havoc on your home. 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. Buy them potted or grow from seed (though that takes a long time and spending the extra money is more efficient). The ventral prolegs are white and are located on abdominal segments 3 to 6 and 10. There are six to seven larval instars that require about 50 days to mature. Both species follow a similar way of life but have different classifications. Aiello A. From the bottom of furniture to the walls in your closet, bagworms have a knack for showing up in all kinds of oddball locations. The heads of both sexes are uniformly clothed with dense, rough hairs. Then theyll pupate and emerge as an adult moth just to continue the cycle. Blast them off and clean them up. 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. Are plaster bagworms harmful to humans? Youll want to start your treatment plan to control them by doing a thorough cleaning of infested areas where you see them. Use your machines attachments to suck up spiderwebs and plaster bagworm sacs as you see them. This may help bring down their numbers and keep them out of your home. The differences are minimal and dont really matter for clearing the infestation anyway. So, you need to get rid of plaster bagworms in your house. Do some research. States like Florida, California, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Louisiana, and new york with high populations of people and unkempt homes attract bagworms. Required fields are marked *. You can also set up moth traps to catch any adults that attempt to lay eggs to stop future pest problems. Your feedback is how I write more improved and detailed pest guides. Figure 3. Larva: In late spring, larvae hatch and disperse on silken threads. Theres no single foolproof technique. 232 pp. And its natural. Eggs are soft, pale bluish, and about 0.4 mm in diameter. Since there are many different types of bagworm species, this depends on the type youre dealing with. It secrets silk to build a foundation at both ends and uses various debris to add to the case. The case has tapered ends that are narrow with a bulging center. For insect pest species, Pheno Forecasts are based on published growing degree day (GDD) thresholds for key points in species life cycles. Theyre known to not attract any moths and provide a source of backyard lighting. Or just seal up those cracks with caulk to prevent further pests from sheltering there. Aiello (1979) indicates that the number of instars may vary among individuals of both sexes. If you want to learn how to get rid of plaster bagworms, youve come to the right place. 200 eggs may be laid by a single female over a period of a week, after which she dies. They remain in the pupal stage an average of 15.6 days (range of 11 to 23 days). Consider hiring a professional exterminator if you have specific questions on using natural predators to handle plaster bagworms. The content on this site is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as professional advice, or to replace a relationship with a qualified professional. They might stay on your exterior door or near a porch light. Hinton HE, Bradley JD. But when woolen threads and woolen cloth were offered to the larvae "they ate eagerly". The cases are constructed during the caterpillar stage (larval) and this is when most people notice them. 39-43. Reviewed June 2020. Add the water and dish soap to the container. This pupal phase spans about 16 days on average. 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. The first record of this species came from Lord Walsingham in 1897 (Busck, 1933). Plaster bagworms live in small, cocoon-like vessels that hang from ceilings and walls. If you have a pest problem thats not covered here, feel free to contact me and let me know. Some people and pets may be sensitive to essential oils, talcum powder, diatomaceous earth, boric acid, etc. Why you have them, how they spread, and when theyre most active. It's only the wool items you have to protect. Disclaimer: Always consult with a qualified professional exterminator prior to beginning any pest control plan. Most people know this species by the name plaster bagworm. American Insects: A Handbook of the Insects of America North of Mexico. Plaster bagworms arent picky about their food source and will eat any organic matter left behind. However, bagworms are moths in the family Psychidae. However, another name change occurred and the current official common and scientific names for this species are the household casebearer, Phereoeca uterellaWalsingham. 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. Household Pests. Well, according to Clemson Cooperative Extension, these wasps live for only two weeks (remember, not where they can cause contamination, sting, or bite, but inside of bagworm eggs), and die shortly after. Furthermore, household casebearer larvae did not eat cotton products offered by Kea. But follow the manufacturers directions. 1979. The inside of the arch is lined exclusively by silk, and is gradually extended to form a tunnel, while the larva stays inside. Im deathly afraid they will land on me when Im asleep so The resilient fibers of a spider web make them extremely durable to the elements (theyre resistant to rain, wind, and sunlight) and this provides a longstanding food for bagworms. How to Get Rid of Plaster Bagworms Naturally (Home Remedies), But for everything else, they should be a minimal threat. They tend to congregate where theres plenty of food to eat, high humidity, and minimal disturbances. After the first case has been built, the larvae will move around and pull the case.
plaster bagworm life cycle
