Chemical Control - Apply pesticides to hard-to-reach infestations or when populations are heavy.Biological insecticides based on Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) can be used for either pest and should be applied when the tents are first noticed and the larvae are still small. A naturally occurring virus and a fungus can reach levels that kill many caterpillars of both species when humidity and temperatures are right. Biological Control - Several natural enemies keep the populations of both the fall webworm and the Eastern tent caterpillar in check, including birds, small mammals, insect predators, spiders, and parasitic wasps.Cultural Practices- Destroy nests by pruning or removing by hand (a stick may be inserted into large webs and twisting it loosens the webs).
Early detection of webs of either pest is important to avoid excessive defoliation.
Monitoring - Looking for and destroying tent caterpillar egg masses can reduce the need for treatment. The larvae develop inside the eggs, but do not hatch until the next spring.Įastern tent caterpillar larva. The females deposit masses of eggs in bands around twigs. Early in summer, the larvae spin cocoons, pupate, and emerge as adults. Successive layers are added to the tent as the larvae develop. After feeding for two days, larvae weave their tent. The insects overwinter as egg masses on twigs, and they hatch in April. The larvae feed within the web for one month or more, crawl down the tree, construct a cocoon, and pupate.Įastern Tent Caterpillar: There is one generation of the Eastern tent caterpillar per year. Females begin laying their masses of eggs in July. In June and July, the adult moths emerge from the soil. The insects overwinter as pupae in the soil. Life Cycleįall Webworm: There is one generation of fall webworm per year, but it is not very synchronous. Adult moths are reddish-brown with two whitish stripes running obliquely across each forewing. They are black with white and blue markings and have a white stripe down the middle of the back. Their color is nearly pure white.Įastern Tent Caterpillar: Full-grown larvae are about 2" long with sparse hairs. Their bodies are very hairy, and heads are dark. They may be yellow with dark stripes and spots, or they may be a dull bluish black without yellow. 
Eastern tent caterpillars Credit: Marie-Eve Jacquesįall Webworm: Full-grown larvae are about 1 1/2" long.
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