Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Siederia walshella is a new combination proposed by Peter Hättenschwiler (see notes on
this page by
Jean-François Landry). Landry places
Dahlica and
Siederia in subfamily Naryciinae.
Numbers
26 species in 13 genera in North America listed at
All-LepsIdentification
Adult females are either wingless or have only little vestigial stubs where wings should be. Males are usually black and unmarked.
(1)
Larvae (bagworms) construct elaborate little cases around themselves of plant debris and other organic matter.
Food
Larvae of some species eat lichen, whereas others prefer green leaves of a hostplant (usually a deciduous or coniferous tree).
Adults do not feed.
Life Cycle
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.
See
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.
Internet References
pinned adult images of 6 species by Jim Vargo, plus photos of related species/families (Moth Photographers Group)
