Bagworm Moths

Bagworms are a strange family of moths and most of them do not cause any noticeable damage to crops. During pest collection trips in northern Namibia I found bagworms from time to another and registered them anyway just for the fun of it. We have not been able to identify the species yet - mainly because the males won't hatch from the bags. We only have one ragged male of # 77 Sand bagworm.  Here is a brief description of the 8 species we have found until now. If you have similar species out there please mail me some info.  December 2004:  All available Photo-thumbs are shown in a link under each species

# 57 Mopane bagworm The most widespread and common bagworm. Found in large numbers on Mopane trees, 40 mm long. I made a separate webpage for this species. All photos	# 60 Flamboyant bagworm 28 mm. This species was found during 1998 on flamboyant trees at Ongwediva ARDC but disappeared after one season. It looks like a smaller version of species 112.   All photos
# 77 Sand bagworm Very common and widespread. Often found on vegetables, sucha as cabbage and eggplant, 25 mm long. The bag is elliptical and covered with sand particles.  All photos	# 92 Bauhinia bagworm The largest bagworm we have found yet, 60 mm long. A few specimens have been found on Bauhinia trees in a garden in Oshakati town. Note possible male/female difference of this large bagworm  All photos
# 110 Grass bagworm 1 12-15 mm long, found on grasses in Kunene region. The bag is cylindrical and made of pices of grass straw.  All photos	# 111 Ruacana bagworm Only one specimen found climbing up a tree at Ruacana falls. 20 mm long.  All photos
# 112 Ongwediva bagworm Only one specimen found at Ongwediva ARDC and much larger than species #60. 38 mm long.  All photos	# 114 Sweet thorn bagworm Only one specimen found at Waterberg Plateu Park, 25 May 2002. 45 mm long, covered with thorns of Sweet thorn, Acacia karoo.   All photos

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