Links

Eastern Tent Caterpillar
· Appearance
· Lifecycle
· Control
Forest Tent Caterpillar
· Appearance
· Lifecycle
· Control
Links
TreeHelp.com

 

Prevention TreeHelp Bug Band Control BTK Biological Insecticide

Forest Tent Caterpillar

Forest tent caterpillar USDA Forest Service

A cousin of the eastern tent caterpillar, the forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria) prefers hardwoods like sugar maples and oaks. The term ‘tent’ caterpillar is a little misleading as these insects don’t construct large tent-nests in the crooks of trees. Instead, they spin pad-like structures on trunks and on branches where they go to rest and to moult.

Other aspects of the forest tent caterpillar are similar to those of the eastern tent caterpillar. They may be ugly and unsightly but their defoliation rarely kills host trees unless these trees are already diseased or under stress due to climatic or other environmental factors.

Next »