CLOSED: Who builds this? Under a leaf

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SharinTheHeron New Braunfels, TX May 17, 2015

An interesting little building under a leaf. Looks like it's little straw pieces. Shaped like a pine cone. It's so tiny. Who does this?

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trackinsand mid central, FL(Zone 9a) May 17, 2015

this is a Bagworm. you need to pull it off and smash it. if you see many of them, it's time to use a Spinosad product to kill them.
the worm/caterpillar lives in this "bag" made of plant material.

Post #10075249
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SharinTheHeron New Braunfels, TX May 17, 2015

A bag worm. So is that different than the "army worms"? I have a tortoise so I do very little "poison " in the yard. Here in central Texas we have had years where these army worms inundate the country side, treatment seem futile. Is there maybe a"natural" homemade concoction I could use? I do appreciate seeing the wasp when the army worm's year is on us. I really appreciate your interest and sharing of information.. Thank you kindly, from me & Lil' Wendy (our 38 yr old tortoise).

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SharinTheHeron New Braunfels, TX May 17, 2015

So I was being lazy and asking instead of checking out what a spinosad treatment meant. I still wonder if the army worm is this little cottages' resident.

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porkpal Richmond, TX May 18, 2015

I believe the two are different.

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Chillybean (Zone 5a) May 18, 2015

Yes, they are different bugs.

One species of Armyworm
http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/1648/
A species of Bag worm
http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/go/259/

I tend to shy away from chemicals, too. Especially any that seems to be a general purpose killer. There are so many beneficial insects around, that I prefer the squish or soapy water method.

Post #10075838
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trackinsand mid central, FL(Zone 9a) May 18, 2015

spinosad is an organic product that works much like Bt, only better. the worm/cat ingests the leaf and the spinosad works by disrupting the digestion system. the critter quits eating and dies.

you'll never get rid of bagworms or armyworms with soap.....sorry to say.

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Chillybean (Zone 5a) May 18, 2015

My method for soap is dropping the bugs into the bucket of soapy water as I shake or pull them off the plants. I've been trying to plant things that attract beneficial insects such as wasps, but if I have a heavy infestation of something, that's when I tend to get a little aggressive.

Post #10075877
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