Zoology: Invertebrates

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bagworm

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2008 | Copyright

bagworm common name for the larva of small moths of the family Psychidae. The larva spins a silken cocoon as it travels, hence the term bagworm. When fully grown, the bagworm fastens its covering to a twig and pupates within it. Some species weave bits of leaves or twigs into their bags. During mating season the wingless, footless adult female perforates the lower end of the bag, protrudes her abdomen for breeding, and soon after laying about a thousand overwintering eggs in the bag, dies. The larvae develop slowly, requiring several months to reach maturity. Bagworms prefer arborvitae and juniper trees, but practically all trees are attacked. The best known of these small moths is Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis, occurring throughout the E United States and regions adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico. Control of the pests is through use of insecticides or by handpicking the cocoons before the eggs hatch at the end of May. Bagworms are classified in the phylum Arthropoda , class Insecta, order Lepidoptera, family Psychidae.

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Psychidae

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Copyright

Psychidae (bagworms; subclass Pterygota, order Lepidoptera) Family of moths in which the males are always winged, while in the females the wings are often reduced or absent. The larva lives within a case that is often characteristic of the species, and is often constructed of leaves, twigs, or sand grains. Most larvae feed on detritus. The family is distributed world wide.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "Psychidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Psychidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Psychidae.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "Psychidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Psychidae.html

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bagworms

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Copyright

bagworms See PSYCHIDAE.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "bagworms." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "bagworms." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-bagworms.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "bagworms." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-bagworms.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	WINTER IS A GOOD TIME TO GO HUNTING FOR BAGWORMS.(HOME) Newspaper article from: The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA); 12/27/1998
	Studies of ballooning and resulting patterns of locally contagious... Magazine article from: The American Midland Naturalist; 10/1/1999
	bob stiffler'S GARDENING Q&A Hands-on approach is the best method to fight... Newspaper article from: The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA); 7/2/2006