×
BugFinder Insects by State Spiders Butterflies & Moths Bees, Ants, & Wasps Beetles All Bugs Videos (YouTube)

Evergreen Bagworm Moth (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis)


Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Evergreen Bagworm Moth


Loading SVG image placeholder
1/6
Image Credit: Alex -icycatelf- Bowen
Full-sized image of the Evergreen-Bagworm-Moth Thumbnail image of the Evergreen-Bagworm-Moth
2/6
Image Credit: Barbara T. taken in Kingsland, GA
Full-sized image #2 of the Evergreen-Bagworm-Moth Thumbnail image #2 of the Evergreen-Bagworm-Moth
3/6
Image Credit: Michele P. from Overland, KS
Full-sized image #3 of the Evergreen-Bagworm-Moth Thumbnail image #3 of the Evergreen-Bagworm-Moth
4/6
Image Credit: Alex -icycatelf- Bowen
Full-sized image #4 of the Evergreen-Bagworm-Moth Thumbnail image #4 of the Evergreen-Bagworm-Moth
5/6
Image Credit: Bill Klipp, taken in Key West, FL
Full-sized image #5 of the Evergreen-Bagworm-Moth Thumbnail image #5 of the Evergreen-Bagworm-Moth
6/6
Image Credit: Bonnie S. from Helen, GA
Full-sized image #6 of the Evergreen-Bagworm-Moth Thumbnail image #6 of the Evergreen-Bagworm-Moth

The Evergreen Bagworm Moth is visually interesting, but its littered larval form really gets people's attention.



Updated: 08/30/2022; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org
At first glance, the Evergreen Bagworm Moth's caterpillar looks like a moving pine cone, mystifying most observers that are unfamiliar with this family of moths. Bagworm Moth caterpillars wrap themselves in a silk cocoon onto which heaps of dead plant matter are laid. Some individuals are covered in just pine needles, other in small bits of wood mulch. The debris depends on what is on hand or nearby when they are forming the cocoon.

The caterpillar spends much of its life in this makeshift bag, hanging from a branch, blending in with the tree. It is when it crawls around for food that people begin to notice it. The plant-covered bag is carried along with the larva everywhere it goes. It moves slowly by first pushing the head out of the bag and then retreating it in order to advance forward. Once the caterpillar's life stage is over though, it pupates inside the bag it created and emerges a dark and furry moth with feathery antennae if it is a male. A female does not form wings, antennae, or hair when she pupates. She looks more like a cream-colored worm and remains in the bag after emerging from her case. After mating through an opening in the bag, the female fills her empty pupal case with fertilized eggs and eventually dies. Eggs overwinter in the pupal case, still inside the mother's bag, and these offspring hatch in the spring. Larvae immediately leave the mother's bag and begin crafting their own bag-like covering.

This species of moth is usually found in areas with conifer trees. Red cedar and arbor vitae are popular food choices and bags made of dried arbor vitae needles are common in areas where it grows. The caterpillars are usually seen in the spring and early summer; flying adults (males) are usually seen in early autumn.©InsectIdentification.org


Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.InsectIdentification.org. It is the product of hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, educators, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at InsectIdentification AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.


General Characteristics


Capability, Shape, Texture/Pattern, Benefits, Dangers
Flying insect icon
Hairy insect icon


Taxonomic Hierarchy


Species Breakdown
Kingdom: Animalia
  Phylum: Arthropoda
    Class: Insecta
      Order: Lepidoptera
        Family: Psychidae
View More
          Genus: Thyridopteryx
View More
            Species: ephemeraeformis

Identifying Information


Size, Colors, Features
Scientific Name: Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis
Other Name(s): Common Bagworm, Eastern Bagworm
Category: Butterfly or Moth
Size (Adult; Length): 16mm to 35mm (0.62" to 1.37")
Colorwheel Graphic Colors: black; brown; tan
Descriptors: pine; cedar; covered in dried needles; arbor vitae; bark; mulch; crawling; hairy; flying; feathery

Evergreen-Bagworm-Moth Video(s)




An Evergreen Bagworm in its homemade case climbs the side of a tire..


Relative Size Comparison


Typical Size Between 16mm (0.6in) and 35mm (1.4in)
Lo: 16mm
Md: 25.5mm
Hi: 35mm

Territorial Map*


U.S., Canada, and Mexico
State of Alabama graphic
State of Arizona graphic
State of Arkansas graphic
State of California graphic
State of Colorado graphic
State of Delware graphic
State of Florida graphic
State of Georgia graphic
State of Idaho graphic
State of Illinois graphic
State of Indiana graphic
State of Iowa graphic
State of Kansas graphic
State of Kentucky graphic
State of Louisiana graphic
State of Maine graphic
State of Maryland graphic
State of Michigan graphic
State of Minnesota graphic
State of Mississippi graphic
State of Missouri graphic
State of Montana graphic
State of Nebraska graphic
State of Nevada graphic
State of New England graphic
State of New Jersey graphic
State of New Mexico graphic
State of New York graphic
State of North Carolina graphic
State of North Dakota graphic
State of Ohio graphic
State of Oklahoma graphic
State of Oregon graphic
State of Pennsylvania graphic
State of South Carolina graphic
State of South Dakota graphic
State of Tennessee graphic
State of Texas graphic
State of Utah graphic
State of Virginia graphic
State of Washington graphic
State of West Virginia graphic
State of Wisconsin graphic
State of Wyoming graphic
Canadian territory of Alberta graphic
Canadian territory of British Columbia graphic
Canadian territory of Manitoba graphic
Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic
Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic
Canadian territory of Ontario graphic
Canadian territory of Quebec graphic
Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic
Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico
Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic
Alaska  
Hawaii  
Prince Edward Is.  
* MAP NOTES: The territorial heat map above showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Evergreen Bagworm Moth may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data is useful when attempting to see concentrations of particular species across the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some insects are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America. States/Territories shown above are a general indicator of areas inhabited by the Evergreen Bagworm Moth. Insects generally go where they please, typically driven by diet, environmental changes, and / or mating habits.
Site Disclaimer  |  Privacy Policy  |  Cookies  |  Sitemap
Beetle Identification Butterfly Identification Caterpillar Identification Spider ID Fungal Infections on Insects Nursery Web Spider Official State Insects Termite Basics Insect Molting Process Bugs of Tennessee House Centipede

2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • Content ©2006-2024 InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved. The InsectIdentification.org logo, its written content, and watermarked photographs/imagery are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and is protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. Material presented throughout this website is for entertainment value and should not to be construed as usable for scientific research or medical advice (regarding bites, etc...).Please consult licensed, degreed professionals for such information. By submitting images to us (InsectIdentification.org) you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Site Disclaimer as it pertains to "User-Submitted Content". Images in JPG format are preferred with a minimum horizontal dimension of 1000px if possible. When emailing please include your location and the general estimated size of the specimen in question if possible. Please direct all inquiries and comments to insectidentification AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

©2024 www.InsectIdentification.org • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2006-2024 (18yrs)