Bagworm outbreak threat growing in Ohio, OSU warns
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW)— The Ohio State University Extension is warning people in the state to be on high alert for bagworms.
The stealthy and destructive pest can severely damage trees and shrubs.
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According to OSU Extension entomologists, bagworms — the larvae of Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis — are hatching now.
These caterpillars live inside silk bags camouflaged with pieces of their host plant, which can make them hard to spot in early stages.
'Bagworms are one of the sneakiest general defoliators in Ohio landscapes,' the warning reads. 'By the time damage is visible, infestations may already be significant.'
Bagworms are known to feed on a wide range of trees and shrubs, OSU extension said.
Each female bagworm can produce between 500 and 1,000 eggs, creating the potential for sudden population booms and widespread outbreaks. The caterpillars often spread via wind.
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OSU recommends inspecting trees now, especially by looking for bags left from last season. Eggs overwinter in the female's bag and hatch in sync with the full bloom of northern catalpa trees (Catalpa speciosa), according to OSU.
While insecticides can be effective in controlling young bagworms, the Extension cautions against indiscriminate spraying. Beneficial arthropods — including those that naturally control mites, scale insects and even bagworms — may also be harmed.
'Careful monitoring and early detection are key,' experts said. 'Targeted treatment is the best strategy to reduce impact and protect surrounding vegetation.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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