Bagworms on Cedar Trees
Bagworms rely on cedar trees as an important food source during the caterpillar stage. While the trees may not experience much damage, heavy infestations can stress the tree, making it less healthy and more susceptible to other pests and diseases. Does this Spark an idea?
-
Description
-
The caterpillars create spindle-shaped bags that they live in when eating and resting. The bag grows up to 2 inches long as the caterpillar forages and grows. The caterpillars feed for about six weeks on the needles of the cedar before moving into the pupae stage to become a moth.
Damage
-
Older caterpillars eat the needles right off of the cedars. If enough of them infest the tree, it can lose most of its needles. If the infestations last for several years in a row, the tree may die if other stresses are also present.
-
Control
-
A variety of beneficial insects, including parasitic wasps, can help control bagworms. You can also remove branches with the bags on them, then dispose of the branches so the caterpillars don't move to a different tree.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
