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Bagworm damage
(John Obermeyer, Purdue University)

Common Name: Bagworm - damage
See also: larva

Scientific Name: Psychidae: Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Status: common pest of evergreens and shrubs

Damaging Stage: caterpillar

Injury: Bagworms prefer juniper, arborvitae, spruce, pine, and cedar but also may attack deciduous trees. They can cause severe damage to trees and shrubs as they defoliate the branches.

Action Threshold: Control should be considered if more than 20 bagworms are found on each frond or if plants are especially valuable or susceptible to injury.

Management: Bagworms can be physically picked off of tree branches in the case of a light infestation. When bagworm populations are above the action threshold, both biological and chemical control options are effective. Treating when the bagworms are very young (early June) is most effective.