Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1229821

Evergreen Bagworm Moth
Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis

Observation date: August 28, 2019
Submitted by: jmike
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: I first thought it was a strange leaf mass on the tree bark but then I noticed movement out the corner of my eye and saw it was indeed moving. Upon closer examination, I saw the head of the caterpillar and took the three pictures uploaded. My purpose for being there was geocaching and I was signing a challenge log (GC80VNY www.geocaching.com) when I noticed the caterpillar. In the approximately 5 minutes I was there after first observing it, the caterpillar traveled 2.5-3 feet up the tree trunk which was more distance than I would have expected for as slow as it moved while I took the pictures, but then, it never stopped moving. I did not pay attention to the species of the tree where it was observed. The coordinates given below are from the geocache location and were quite accurate to identify the sign post that holds the cache. The tree in the photos is the first one approximately 10-15 feet west of the sign. The temperature was in the mid to high 70's and there was no rain that day that I am aware of. Definitely not during the time of day when I was in the area.
Status: Resident
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: December 14, 2020
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): United States, Nebraska, Douglas County