28 species in 14 genera in our area (1)
Adult females are either wingless or have only little vestigial stubs where wings should be. Males are usually black and unmarked.(2)
Larvae (bagworms) construct elaborate little cases around themselves of plant debris and other organic matter.
Larvae of some species eat lichen, whereas others prefer green leaves of a hostplant (usually a deciduous or coniferous tree).
Adults do not feed.
Larvae (bagworms) construct spindle-shaped bags covered with pieces of twigs, leaves, etc., and remain in them -- enlarging the bags as they grow -- until they pupate (also in the bag). Adult females remain in the bag, emitting pheromones which attract adult males to mate with them.
Eggs are laid inside the bag, and when they hatch the larvae crawl away to begin construction of their own individual cases.
Some bagworm species are parthenogenetic
; their eggs hatch without being fertilized.
Davis, D. R. 1964. Bagworm moths of the Western Hemisphere (Lepidoptera: Psychidae). USNM Bulletin 244: 1-233 (3)
pinned adult images
of 6 species by Jim Vargo, plus photos of related species/families (Moth Photographers Group)