DECATUR – When the Japanese tree lilacs are in bloom, it's time to scout for and control bagworms, according to University of Illinois horticulture educator Kelly Allsup. This species flowers later than other lilacs, with large fluffy white blossoms on a 20- to 30-foot tree. Known for fragrant flowers in early- to mid-June, Japanese tree lilac is a common urban tree.

But don’t get swept away by the aroma. On nearby evergreens, there are tiny caterpillars climbing to the top of infested trees, spinning a silk to catch the wind, looking for a suitable host. Juniper and arborvitae are the most susceptible, but there are hundreds of other species that can be attacked, including pine and spruce. These tiny paratroopers have hatched from eggs overwintering in the bags from the previous season.

Small caterpillars feed on the outer layer of the leaves or needles of their host, causing browning, usually starting at the top of the tree. As they grow, their appetite increases and they begin to eat all of the foliage. They feed the entire summer but are much easier to kill when they are small. These caterpillars remain susceptible to chemical treatment into early July. Heavy infestations cannot only be unsightly with all the eaten foliage, but can kill branches or whole plants.

As the caterpillar feeds, it uses silk and foliage from the plant to create a bag. In late summer, these caterpillar pupate for seven to 10 days. Neither adult feeds. The adult female remains in the bag and is without legs, wings, eyes, or mouthparts. The male emerges from the bag as a black moth and finds a female within a bag to mate. After mating, she produces 500 to 1,000 eggs, keeping them protected inside her body. Dissecting a bag in the early spring will reveal a dead female with lots of little eggs ready to hatch. Protected by the bag, control is futile until the eggs hatch and the juveniles emerge.

Any time of the year, removal of bags is good technique to employ. As the tree lilacs fill the air with their perfume, the following chemical treatments are effective:

• Bacillius thuringiensis kurstaki (also known as BTK, and found in Dipel and Thuricide);
• Spinosad (organically derived and found in products like Conserve); and
• Cyfluthrin (Tempo) can be effective in ridding your landscape trees of future bagworm infestations.

As always with pesticides, read and follow the labels to ensure safe and effective application. Follow-up applications may be needed.

Macon County Master Gardeners are volunteers trained by Illinois Extension. Master Gardeners fulfill their mission of Helping Others Learn to Grow by volunteering their time and horticulture skills through community gardening projects and educational outreach.

Source: Kelly Allsup, Extension Educator, Horticulture, kallsup@illinois.edu