Bagworm moth caterpillars

Hi Robert, these look like bagworm moth cases. The caterpillars create the cases from plant material & come out to feed on leaves. The males eventually pupate & fly. Females never leave their case & are fertilized by the male through the case. Although they don't do too much damage eating, the silk that attaches to the branch is extremely strong & can girdle the branch as it grows causing it to die back.

There are several species of bagworm in Texas. You can find out more here - http://landscapeipm.tamu.edu/ipm-for-orn...