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far south as Texas, but is less evident or absent in the other Gulf 
states. In many of the states this insect causes a great amount 
of damage. 
The bagworm is almost an omnivorous feeder, attacking all 
kinds of deciduous trees and shrubs, and also seems to be very 
fond of conifers of various kinds. The caterpillars seem to be 
entirely oblivious of either taste or smell, attacking trees whose 
foliage would naturally seem to be repulsive, such trees as the 
sassafras having been found on our grounds almost entirely 
defoliated by them. While also especially fond of evergreens 
they show some preference for the arbor-vitae. Where the insect 
gains the upper hand before being detected these trees may be 
almost entirely defoliated by them in a short time. They do 
not as a rule feed on herbaceous plants, although they have been 
known to do so in the absence of other suitable foods. While 
at times they seem to be rather selective in their habits, they 
nevertheless appear to be able to adapt themselves readily to 
almost any kind of green plant food. 
The eggs of the female are deposited in the bag, which is 
suspended to a twig where it remains over winter. Late in the 
spring the caterpillars hatch, leave the old nest, and attack the 
nearest Jeaf. There they begin to feed and to construct a bag 
of sik and debris. While the larva is small the case is carried 
upright, but as it becomes larger it is allowed to hang down. 
The caterpillar molts four times before it reaches maturity. 
During the process of molting the bag is attached to a twig by 
means of silk fastening. At the bottom of the bag is a small 
opening through which the old skin and excrement are pushed 
out of the nest. 
Toward midsummer the caterpillar attaches the bag to a twig 
and lines it with another layer of silk and the bag now becomes 
its cocoon. The pupal stage lasts about three weeks, at the end 
of which time the adult appears. The male works its way 
through the bottom of the bag and the winged adult moth makes 
its escape. 
The female moth is wingless and legless and never leaves the 
cocoon, but merely emerges far enough to permit mating. She 
