Tiny Hanging Cocoon - Dahlica

Moved

Moved from Dahlica triquetrella to genus level, to be on the safe side: D. lichenella has been found in British Columbia and is apparently similar-looking. That may even be the more probable ID--I don't know if Dahlica triquetrella has been found in your area or not.

… Charley Eiseman, 21 October, 2009 - 12:00pm

Hi Charley!

I have no experience with bag worms whatsoever. But I found another one, the same as this one, that still has the worm in it. I've been taking some photos and have figured out how to get the worm to crawl almost all the way out. I was wondering if you happen to know what sorts of things might need to be seen in order to properly ID it? Because I have it right here with me and can take any photos that may be necessary. Any tips?

… Mandy Howe, 5 November, 2009 - 1:14pm

Well...

I did some quick investigating and found this page about a related species, which says that "Positive identification of females depends on dissection of the genitalia, or examination of the headplate of the female pupal exuviae." Female bagworms are wingless, and I think one or both of these Dahlica species don't have males. So it seems like you need to keep it until it pupates--or find a case in which the larva has already pupated--and it should be possible to track down the distinguishing characteristics between the pupae of these two species, and/or maybe you could send specimens to All-Leps for analysis. It certainly doesn't hurt to get good photos of the larva; there may be distinguishing features that haven't been described (or maybe even have been--I haven't looked too hard for that information).

… Charley Eiseman, 5 November, 2009 - 2:26pm

Thank you!

That helps a lot. I think I'll get the best larva photos that I can manage...and then keep it and watch it pupate then. I'll check the same area where I found these two for more that have already pupated, like you mentioned. Thanks again, Charley! I appreciate the help!

… Mandy Howe, 5 November, 2009 - 2:39pm

Sounds good

I probably should have put it at genus level too. Not sure why I didn't.

… Mandy Howe, 21 October, 2009 - 1:05pm

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… Mandy Howe, 21 October, 2009 - 11:58am

Bagworm

this one, I think.

… Charley Eiseman, 17 October, 2009 - 10:29pm

Perfect

Thank you! Looks just like it! Some of the info even describes them as triangular, just like mine. I would like to just move it to the D. triquetrella page right now but I feel like I should wait and see if anyone else has a guess or a confirmation.

… Mandy Howe, 18 October, 2009 - 12:27am