Evergreen Bagworm

Look closely at trees and shrubs festooned with last season’s Common Bagworm (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis) bag-abodes. Overwintered bagworm eggs are hatching in southwest Ohio meaning the “bagworm season” is now underway.

Common bagworms (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis, family Psychidae) are native moth caterpillars that live in silk bags festooned with plant debris. It’s the perfect camouflage allowing them to remain undetected until revealed by their voracious appetites.