Thyridopteryx meadi
I was checking out a Creosote Bush for bugs in Nevada when I found this object that didn't seem to belong.
A light bulb went on over my head (or possibly it was just a reflection off my camera lens) as I recalled
seeing similar images on Bugguide.net. I realized at once that this must be a Bagworm Moth case.
Utah has lots of creosote bushes so even though I found this one in Clark County, Nevada there
are plenty to be found in Utah. © Carol Davis, 4-1-2010
This photo shows the resemblance of the Creosote Bush leaves to the leaves attached to the bagworm case.
Mother Nature can just knock your socks off* with some of the insects she has up Her terrestrial sleeve.
Read more about the Psychidae family of moths here on Bugguide.net and see more of the different types of
bagworms. Just for kicks, try to find some in your yard or your favorite camping area. Don't be tricked
into thinking these are part of the bush because they are attached securely to their host plant. Look for
cocoon-like objects with tiny leaves or twigs glued to them and check out bushes like Arborvitae in your
own yard that are sometimes hosts to bagworms. © Carol Davis, 4-1-2010
*This has nothing to do with Bagworms, but if you haven't seen the Mythbusters episode on knocking your
socks off, watch for it on the Discovery Channel, or you can see it here on their website.
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