Feeding on a privet (Ligustrum sp.) A. confederata was the only bagworm found in VA that feeds on Ligustrum as far as I could tell, and the bag was the right size, 17mm
Not entirely positive on this identification.
I have never seen these before so if anyone knows please let me know. They appear to look like caterpillars or worms living in he "leaves" of this bush. I'll post the picture of the bush and the best pictures of these little ones I could get! I've been seeing them in the saint Joseph MO area. Thanks for the help everyone!
Definitely a bagworm. I'm guessing this species--which I have also seen listed as the "mini bagworm." From what I can find, the only other bagworm we have in Minnesota is the Evergreen bagworm, which is larger and covers itself with bits of tree (usually conifer), rather than bits of grass.