unidentified bug
Location: Midwest North America
August 2, 2011 2:53 pm
Hi,
I am from Bradley, IL. It is the beginning of August and we have these little ”pods” or ”pine cone” looking sacks all over our pine tree in the back yard. They have a small ”worm like” animal inside and attach themselves to anything that is stationary. The outside of the ”pod” is camouflaged to match the berries on the tree.
Signature: Thanks, Anna
Hi Anna,
We absolutely love that you have documented an Evergreen Bagworm, Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis (see BugGuide), that has incorporated berries into its bag. Bagworms are moth caterpillars that use leaves and twigs from the plants that they feed upon to construct a bag that protects them from predators and the elements. The Bagworm will eventually attach the bag to a stem, fence or wall, seal the bag and pupate inside. Only male Bagworm Moths have wings. Females are legless and wingless and they do not leave the bag. The male mates with an immobile female who then lays eggs in the bag as well.