Bagworm case

Description:

The caterpillar larvae construct cases out of silk and environmental materials such as sand, soil, lichen, or plant materials. These cases are attached to rocks, trees or fences while resting or during their pupa stage, but are otherwise mobile. The bagworm has a voracious appetite and is considered a serious pest as the silk that attaches the case to the host tree is so strong that it can cause dieback as the tree grows & the branch becomes girdled.

Notes:

Probably the Evergreen bagworm as we have removed a large number of that species' cases from our conifers. This one was found on a calycanthus (sweetshrub) in our hedgerow & seems to be decorated with pieces of bark instead of the more usual pine needles.