Bagworm
Guides
Apterona helicoidella
snailcase bagworm
A bagworm moth native to Europe that constructs a distinctive helical, snail-like case. The species was accidentally introduced to North America in the 1940s and has since established populations across multiple U.S. regions. Adults are reduced or absent in females, which retain a larval form and remain within their cases.
Cryptothelea gloverii
Glover's Bagworm Moth
Cryptothelea gloverii is a bagworm moth (family Psychidae) found in North and Central America. The larval stage constructs a portable case from silk and plant debris, a defining trait of the family. It has been documented feeding on citrus, particularly orange trees, and preying on the camphor scale (Pseudaonidia duplex), a scale insect pest.
Dahlica lichenella
Lichen Case-bearer
Dahlica lichenella is a bagworm moth in the family Psychidae, commonly known as the Lichen Case-bearer. The species is native to Europe but has been introduced to North America. Males have a wingspan of 13–16 mm and are active in early spring, while females are flightless and remain within their larval cases throughout their adult lives. Larvae construct small, inconspicuous cases from lichen fragments and other debris, often going unnoticed due to their cryptic appearance.
Dahlica triquetrella
Narrow Lichen Bagworm, Narrow Lichen Case-bearer
Dahlica triquetrella is a small bagworm moth in the family Psychidae, notable for its distinctive triangular larval case and unusual reproductive biology. The species exists in both sexual and parthenogenetic forms, with the latter being far more widespread. Sexual populations are restricted to isolated glacial refugia in Central Europe, while parthenogenetic populations span much of Europe and have been introduced to North America. The species is specialized on lichen-feeding and is often overlooked due to the small size and cryptic appearance of its larval cases.
Hyaloscotes
Hyaloscotes is a genus of bagworm moths in the family Psychidae, described by Butler in 1881. As members of the subfamily Oiketicinae, these moths are characterized by the construction of portable larval cases from silk and environmental materials. The genus is poorly documented in scientific literature, with limited species-level descriptions and biological data available. Observations on iNaturalist suggest ongoing but infrequent documentation of these insects.
Psychinae
bagworm moths
Psychinae is a subfamily of bagworm moths within the family Psychidae, established by Boisduval in 1829. The subfamily comprises at least 12 genera. Members are characterized by the construction of portable protective cases from silk combined with plant material, soil particles, or other debris. Larval case-building behavior is the defining trait of this group. Adult males are usually winged, while females are often wingless and remain in their cases.
Thyridopteryx
bagworm moths
Thyridopteryx is a genus of bagworm moths (Psychidae) comprising five described species. The genus is best known for T. ephemeraeformis, the evergreen bagworm or North American bagworm, a significant pest of ornamental and landscape plants. Larvae construct protective cases from silk and plant fragments, which they carry throughout their development. The genus exhibits unusual sexual dimorphism: males are winged and capable of flight, while females are wingless and remain within their cases for life.
Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis
Evergreen Bagworm Moth, Eastern Bagworm, Common Bagworm, Common Basket Worm, North American Bagworm
Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis, the evergreen bagworm moth, is a polyphagous pest species in the family Psychidae. Larvae construct distinctive silken bags decorated with plant fragments, which they carry throughout their development. Males emerge as winged adults with nearly scale-free, transparent wings—reflected in the genus name derived from Greek thyris (window) and ptera (wing). Females remain wingless and never leave their bags, releasing sex pheromones to attract mates. The species exhibits remarkable sexual dimorphism in both morphology and behavior, with males and females showing differential stratification on host trees and distinct pupation heights.
Thyridopteryx meadii
Creosote Bush Bagworm, Creosote Bagworm
Thyridopteryx meadii is a North American bagworm moth endemic to the Mojave Desert and adjacent arid regions. Unlike its widespread congener T. ephemeraeformis, this species exhibits extreme host specialization, feeding exclusively on creosote bush (Larrea tridentata). The species was named in honor of entomologist T. L. Mead, who collected the type specimen in California. Its life history is tightly coupled to the phenology of its host plant and regional rainfall patterns rather than following a fixed annual cycle.