Florist Home :: Flower Guides :: Eastern Tent Caterpillar
Large populations of this common insect can occur at intervals of about 10 years.
The insect overwinters as eggs which are laid in a mass on the twigs. They hatch in the spring about the time wild cherry leafs out. The young larvae begin to make their nest in the crotch of a tree. The larvae leave the nest to feed on newly expanding leaves to return when not feeding. As the larvae grow they expand the nest. When the larvae are full grown they look for a place to make a cocoon. The adults emerge in early July, mate and the female lays eggs.
The caterpillars are black but have a white stripe and a series of blue spots running the length of the body. Infested trees are not killed. Because the nests are formed in the crotches of trees it is not practical to prune them out. The nests are sometimes burned out but such burning is often more harmful then the insect injury.
If you want to send flowers, roses, sympathy flowers or a gift basket please click on one of the links below to transfer to the appropriate page.
This information kindly supplied by Michigan State University Extension, Ornamental Plants.
AA-Florist.com