Bagworm Moth

The bag of a bagworm moth contains a caterpillar which feeds at the upper end of the bag and enlarges it as it grows. The caterpillar pupates inside the bag, and if the moth is male it will emerge to find a mate. The male has a wingspan of about an inch, and transparent wings. If the moth is female, it has no wings or legs and stays inside the bag. After mating, she will lay her eggs inside the bag where they will remain all winter. The young caterpillars leave the bag after hatching and build their own bags.

A common type of bagworm moth is the evergreen bagworm (Thyridopteryx ephemeraformis) which prefers conifers, but will also live on maples, oaks and sycamore.

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