Bagworms
Info taken from the publication Control of Common Pests of Landscape Plants by Tim Daly, Gwinnett County Cooperative Extension Agent and Beverly Sparks & Will Hudson, Extension Entomologists.
Bagworms construct and live inside a 1- to 2-inch long tough, tear-shaped portable silken case. These bags are the insect’s most easily seen and identifiable feature. Outside, the silken texture of the bag is somewhat concealed with layers of leaf, twig and bark fragments. The bag has an opening at the larger end that allows the worm to partially crawl out to make repairs to its bag and eat.
Bagworms attack broadleaf and coniferous trees and shrubs. Here are some control measures.
- Follow proper watering, fertilizing and pruning practices.
- Remove other stress factors from trees when possible.
- Infested plant material cannot be treated and should be removed and disposed of.
- Protect trees from infestation or reinfestation by using products containing bifenthrin or permethrin. Make first application in April and subsequent applications in late May, mid-July and late August.
To find more ID and control information on this or other landscape insects read the UGA publication Control of Common Pests of Landscape Plants
To find pesticide recommendations and use information visit the Georgia Pest Management Handbook.