Critter cocoon in my shrubs?

Question

I discovered several cocoons in my shrubs. They are about 3" length & X 2" diameter, & made up of actual leaves of the shrub. The leaves appear to be (now) grey in color, & the whole shebang is hanging on branches by the insect's silk. I saw one insect, it was a Caterpillar, mottled brown in color, fairly large sized. What might it be? Is it harmful? Thanks!

Answer 1

yep... bagworm...

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/21...

remove the bags.... destroy... these guys will destroy the plants they're on if left to live.....

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&rl...

read any control procedures carefully, as next season, you may have more and if you can get them at the right time, you'll win the war!....meantime, pick off and destroy any that you can find and reach!!

Answer 2

Ah, you've got bag worms!  The bag, a cocoon, is home to just one critter except at mating time when the boys come calling on the females.  

The worm eats the foliage off your tree or shrub.  One or two "sleeping" bags isn't a big deal, but several dozen means far more hungry fellows.  

Control is easy, clip off and dispose.  

Answer 3

this is very, very harmful. all cocoons re very, very harmful. there will be nasty insects eating leaves from them.spray shrubs with malationil or other poison, if u see those creatures - kill and destroy