Latin Name:  Dahlica triquetrella (Hübner, 1813)
                        (R. Bercha, det.)

Length:  ~4mm

Range: Alberta

Habitat: Areas with Lichen

Time of year seen: (Adults) April to May (Additional Sightings)

Adults's Diet: Non-eating  

Other: The Bagworm Moth is an exotic species imported from Europe.  In Canada it was first recorded in 1941 at Vernon, BC.  Since that time it has spread and by the mid 1990's was present in Alberta.  The caterpillars are commonly seen in the fall and spring on the sides of builds as they climb up looking for protected places to over winter or pupate.  They are also found on trees with lichen.  In the springtime the caterpillars pupate and the parthenogenic wingless female adults emerge to lay eggs before they die a short time later.  The eggs are laid inside of the adults bag, where they hatch.  Upon hatching the young larva create their own bag and begin foraging for lichen, the bagworm moths food of choice.  The silk bags are triangular in cross section and covered with a variety of fine materials including silt and shells.