Detailed information on Bag Worm (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis)

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whittler01

Hartsburg, MO | July 2012 | Negative

Very destructive. I have two Thuja green giants out of about 50 that seem to be targeted as well as a solitary arbor vitae. I have been manually picking them off the thuja trees, however, the arbor vitae is large and well established and is currently suffering the worst infestation (it's hosting a devouring army of these destructive bugs. I had no idea the trees were infested and had chalked it up to a hot dry year up until last week when I really inspected those 'funny little pinecones'. Wish I had done this sooner. The worms are still feeding so I have sprayed Sevin on all my evergreens (as of last night - will see if any good results). Picking up some BT as well to see if I can double up on firepower and knock them down before they destroy the 3 or 4 years of hard work and pleasur... read more

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nalcmama

Falmouth, VA | August 2011 | Negative

I noticed the arborvitae in the yard in Fredericksburg, VA was dying and I thought that these were just dead foliage. Then I saw some on my rose bushes and azaleas. When I looked closer some were moving. I did some research on line and wound up here. Time to go outside with some hot soapy water to take care of these pests.

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IthilienGarden

Grand Prairie, TX | September 2010 | Negative

Last year these attacked my Italian Cypresses. Looked like pine cones from a distance. One of the five cypresses was badly infested and started turning brown. I used Bayer Advanced 3-In-1 Insect, Disease and Mite control. Ready to use formula was easy to use attached to the end of the hose. You have to make sure you get into all the foliage of the tree with forceful spray. Repeated in one month. The tree bounced back but is shorter than other trees. This year the bugs were back on another tree but I treated in time. It seems I will have to treat these cypresses every spring for few years from now on. I really, really don't like these bugs.

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deighj

| May 2010 | Neutral

I have been battling bagworms, tent caterpillars or whatever for the last few years. The worst hit trees are my pecans and fruit trees. These trees are much too tall for spraying to be effective with a backpack sprayer. I was told that using a hose with a carwash attachment will dislodge the tents. I haven't done so yet but wonder if anyone out there has tried this method. I would much appreciate any advice on getting rid of these pests.

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Meickle2003

Chillicothe, IL (Zone 6a) | October 2009 | Negative

I have found this little pest on some fur trees in our back yard. So far they have killed 2 of my trees and they are working on the other 6 trees in the row. I have tried spraying with seven spray but it has not helped. Hopefully the freeze that we had will take care of them for this season. I will start spraying earlier next spring so that they dont do the damage that they did this year.

Mickey

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Malus2006

Coon Rapids, MN (Zone 4a) | January 2008 | Neutral

Those bugs are very common in my yard - I have seen them pupae on walls of the house, etc. It's tough to see any damages.

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ImaFarmer2

Medford, NJ | January 2008 | Negative

I own a Conifer Tree Farm in South Jersey and these Bag worms have been attempting to over run my place the last few summers.There are way too many to hand pick off so I armed myself with a backpack sprayer and some liquid "seven" and battled them suckers back.I found that if I start looking for them in early to mid may when they start hatching, they are easier to eliminate with chemical.If you wait till June/July, they are very,very difficult to control because they are big enough to survive and they use their Cocoons to hide from spray applications.

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fiwfbn

Simpsonville, SC | July 2007 | Negative

Notice little cones on my Cypress by my front window last year. Alas, I was two late. The bugs have killed two large cyress this year and is working on another tree in my front yard. hopefully we will be able to kill them quckly now we know what they are. They left a trail leading from the cypress to the tree they are now attacking.

Distressed

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shorelady

Moorestown, NJ | August 2006 | Negative

Found these critters on an arborvitae. Picked them off and sealed in a plastic bag. After checking the web read about the hot soapy water trick. Think we got them all but a good idea to keep spraying. Bought a chemical from Lowe's geared to bagworms--can't remember the name and have sprayed twice. Will check next spring and spray any eggs that might be growing.

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MzVic

Pennsville, NJ | August 2006 | Negative

Recently discovered what appeared to be small pinecones
on my fir tree. Looked a liitle closer, realized they were moving. Did a search. Seemed the best defense was to remove and soak in hot soapy water.

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Dea

Frederick, MD (Zone 6a) | August 2006 | Negative

Destructive worms that once escape the pod will quickly destroy cypress trees in the mid-atlantic area.

Opening the tents when found early will provide food for swallows and other birds.

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city_of_refuge

Chesapeake, VA | July 2006 | Negative

Amazing worm! On my job--I work outside-I have to maintain the property on various sites within the City. Started noticing the bushes being eaten up by something. I asked about the thing and found out that it was a bagworm. I picked and disposed of all of them and stopped the death of the bushes. They are really devastating to the plant-life that they attach to!

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aprilwillis

Missouri City, TX (Zone 9a) | July 2006 | Neutral

The bags contain the soft bodied worm (female), when small the are susceptible to detergent and water sprayed.

Bag Worm

Thyridopteryxephemeraeformis

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