From: Stephen B. Bambara and James R. Baker, Extension Entomologists
Eastern tent caterpillars hatch in the spring just as the buds are
breaking on wild cherry and crabapples and other ornamental plants.
There is only one generation of these insects per year (the
caterpillar that builds nests in trees later in the summer is the
fall webworm). Eastern tent caterpillars build their silk nests in
the crotches of wild cherry, crabapple, apple and other host
plants. Soon the caterpillars crawl down from the trees to search
for a place to spin their cocoons. In late spring, the moths emerge to mate and lay eggs for the next year's generation. In the county Extension offices in North Carolina should be an insect note
on the biology and control of the eastern tent caterpillar
(Ornamental and Turf Insect Note Number 61). Additional information
on caterpillar management is included in Ornamentals and Turf Insect Note Number 07.
Web page last updated on April 1, 1997 by Stephen J. Toth, Jr..
