Bagworms

What it looks like

Look for small, cone-shaped silk bags covered in bits of leaves or needles, hanging from branches. They blend in so well on conifers that they're easy to walk right past. Bags may be still or slowly moving as the larvae feed inside.

Often mistaken for: Small pinecones or wind-blown debris caught in branches

When it shows up in the Triangle

Eggs hatch in late spring (May-June) in the Triangle, and the larvae keep feeding and growing through summer, maturing by August.

Where you’ll see it

Common on conifers like Leyland cypress, arborvitae, cedar, juniper, and pine, but also shows up on many deciduous trees and shrubs.

What you can do

• Walk your trees and shrubs regularly and look closely for the bags—they're easy to overlook.
• Hand-pick bags off branches and destroy them (don't just drop them nearby).
• Make winter checks a habit—overwintering bags are easier to spot once leaves drop and are a good time to remove them before eggs hatch.
• Keep plants healthy with good watering and care so they can better handle any feeding damage.