Everbody has a right to a roof over their head. A place to call home. This one insect has taken this definition to a completely different level. The Bagworm Moth Caterpillar has a unique way of collecting sticks to construct log cabins for it to live in.
This miniature traveller is a native of the globe from places like South Africa and Madagascar to Florida. It carries the heavy burden, with the pile of twigs being twice the weight of the insect. As soon as the caterpillar hatches, it weaves a silk cocoon around itself making it safe and protected from predators. Bagworms add material to the front of the case as they grow, excreting waste materials through the opening at the back. Natural craftsman, they reinforce it with anything it can find to create the hut; from leaves and twigs, to sand, soil, lichen and plants. As it grows, it expands its case by adding more twigs to the top. They poke their head out to collect additional twigs and cuts them to appropriate size before attaching them temporarily to the top of the case. They disappear inside to cut a slit where they plan to attach the new stick to create something incredibly tough and difficult to break open.
Known as a 'case', this mobile protective log cabins are a small nest like structure that allows the insect to safely pulpate into a silk moth. The cases are attached to rocks, trees or fences while resting or during their pupa stage . As soon as they pupate, males will fly off in search of a female without returning to the case.
Not just a common shelter, it is structurally an incredible feat, with a variety of designs. Each one with its own little individual style, these pieces of wonder dot the gallery of the forest. However the helix spiral in particular, is what brings a natural architectural expertise which would be accepted by many design institutions of society.
