Species Dahlica triquetrella - Hodges#0436

0436

Bagworm applies to all members of Psychidae.

Dahlica triquetrella (Hübner, 1812)

Solenobia triquetrella

* phylogenetic sequence #013075

Wingspan 9-13 mm, females wingless.

There are records from the Great Lakes region, southeastern Canada and the northeast United States. (1)

Lichens, although they are said to require insects in their diet in order to mature.

North American population is parthenogenic (females reproducing by laying viable eggs not fertilized by a male). Eggs are layed in discarded bag in early spring soon after adult emerges from pupa and bag. Adult lives only a few days and does not eat. Caterpillars eat and grow till fall, then find a place (often seen on the sides of buildings) to spend the winter without pupating. In very early spring, as temperatures rise to a degree or two above freezing, the caterpillar pupates.

Caterpillars attach a variety of objects to their silken bags, including dead plant parts, dead animal parts, or grains of sand.

Moth Photographers Group