I was clipping some low suckers from a Maple tree and after having them in my hand a few minutes I glanced down and saw what appeared to be a chrysalis or cocoon of some sort. It was definately wiggling so I knew it was alive.
I took it in and put it in one of my Gladware cages planning to forget it. The next morning it was at the top of the cage!! I got fresh leaves and put them in the cage since it was moving around. The next afternoon it was back down eating on the leaves!
I have looked at it for about a week now and what it seems to do is move like a hermit crab carring it's shell. It will also plaster the leaves it munches on top of what is there. They later turn brown. Here it is on fresh leaves.
Any one out there help ID this crazy insect?
I can't remember any name, but there's something that develops inside a hanging "house" of glued-together leaves. Maybe that's it. Sorry I'm so vague...maybe I'll remember later. Parts of my memory went bye-bye long ago. If anyone sees it, send it back to me.
Okay, I was able to find something on it somehow. Does it look remotely like this? Look at the "bagworm" on this site.
http://www.whatsthatbug.com/bagworm.html
I really can't see the photo that well...but does it look like a looper caterpillar with debris stuck onto it's back?
I know there is a moth caterpillar that moves along like an inch worm (looper) and sticks pieces of leaves and debris onto itself for camouflage.
Can't remember the name but I did see it in David Wagner's Caterpillars of North Eastern America book. Sorry am about 1,100 miles away from my book at this time so can't look it up :o)
~ Cat
(Temporarily in Brunswick, GA)
I think that is what it is. I am going to photograph it and then send it to the maker I guess. Wish I knew if it mated, I would hold on and get that shot. Oh well. Hope they don't get to be a problem on my "neighbor's" Maple. It sits between us, but shades his house in late afternoon. Plus like the kid that acts up....he's his Daddy's.
This message was edited Jun 6, 2008 1:42 PM
I think Linda is right saying it is a bagworm. I just "googled" bagworm and there is alot of info. Here is another link you may want to read: http://woodypests.cas.psu.edu/factsheets/InsectFactSheets/html/Bagworm.html
I don't think you want them to mate at all after reading that webpage. Squish it asap!!
We had them here when we first moved in. They were attached to our chain link fence. We kept it in a small critter cage for awhile and watched it. Then we found out what it was and got rid of it. They are certainly interesting but are very destructive.
Lisa
Yep, it will meet it's end tonight. Better than having to figure out how to control them later.
