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Importance - The eastern tent caterpillar is primarily an aesthetic problem and has little adverse effect on the host trees. Species of the genus Prunus are preferred hosts, with black cherry being the primary, uncultivated host.
Identifying the Insect - Full-grown larvae are between 2 to 2 1/2 inches (50 to 65 mm) in length. Caterpillars have black heads, with long, light brown body hairs. The back has a light stripe, bordered on each side with yellowish-brown and black wavy lines. The sides are marked with blue and black spots. Moths have a wingspread of about 2 to 2 1/2 inches (50 to 65 mm) and are yellowish-brown, with two narrow, light lines across the front wings.
Identifying the Injury - The larvae construct a white web or tent in the crotch of a small branch. They consume the entire leaf, except the midrib.
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Larva.
Photo by Larry R. Barber, USDA Forest Service |
