Common names:
|
No names were recorded. The species
is clearly a bagworm, so we have named it "Sand bagworm" until it is identified.
Proper identification is very difficult, as the adult moth has not been
observed yet (see below, "other notes") |
Pest status:
|
The pest status of Sand bagworm
is still unknown. The bagworm has been found on eggplant, cowpea,
grasses and various vegetables. In most years the bagworm is noticed but
occurs in small numbers. Cases are known, however, where the bagworm suddenly
became very numerous and caused damage to for instance cabbage and cotton(Ogongo
Agric. College, Omusati region). |
Distribution:
|
The sand bagworm has been noticed
in most areas of northern Namibia. |
Description:
|
The bag is made out of sand that is spun together. The mature bag is
about 25-30 mm long and slightly conical. Inside the bag is a caterpillar
that stretches out and moves the entire bag around.
In other bagworms species we have noticed the ejected pupae skins where
the adult moth has eventually left the bag, but this have never been seen
for sand bagworms. |
Control:
|
No control is recommended until the pest status and biology of sand
bagworms has been established. |
Other notes:
|
The identification of sand bagworm
is hampered by the fact that we have never observed even a single adult
moth from the hundreds of mature bags we have found since early 1998.
A dead male was eventually found
among a number of old bags in a jar. It had lost most of the scales but
was relaxed and pinned anyway. |
