Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis
(Haworth, 1803)
Evergreen Bagworm
Sort #: 119 | P3 #: 300028 | MPG #: 457
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Larval feeding type: Larva feeds from a large silken case adorned with pieces of the foodplant; one larva found by S.Whitebread 10-Jul-2018 produced a female moth on 4-Jun-2019! Another case found 7-Sep-2020 was thought to be empty, but a male emerged unseen, probably only a few days later. The normal life-cycle in the wild in Massachusetts remains to be resolved.
Larval substrate: Juniperus virginiana* (Eastern Red Cedar), Thuja occidentalis* (Northern White Cedar), Thuja orientalis* (Chinese Arborvitae), Malus pumila* (Apple), Prunus virginiana* (Choke Cherry), Acer platanoides* (Norway Maple)
Phenology: Adult: 9/26 (1 record)
Status in MA (automated assessment): Restricted distribution, very common
Status in N. America: Native
MA Endangered Species Act status: None
First Year Reported: 1934
Last Year Reported: 2023
Distribution by County: Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth
Number of Records: 89
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Adult female - normally they remain in the case, but this one vacated it! (Photo: ©S. Whitebread) -
Adult female - normally they remain in the case, but this one vacated it! (Photo: ©S. Whitebread) -
Young larval case found on choke cherry (Photo: ©S. Whitebread) -
Young larval case found on choke cherry, now feeding on eastern red cedar (Photo: ©S. Whitebread) -
Larva which left its case (it was successfully returned) (Photo: ©S. Whitebread)