Eastern tent caterpillars are active in the ​spring, when warm … The tents signal the hatching of a defoliating insect pest, the western tent caterpillar, Malacosoma californicum pluviale. The most common host plants that caterpillars feed on are leaves from stonefruit trees. Additionally, caterpillars can contract NPV by coming in contact with silk strands from other larvae. The caterpillars are social and spin the tent for protection. Western tent caterpillars are mostly orange and black with pale blue marks along the back. The Western Tent Caterpillar is found in southern Canada, the western United States, and parts of northern Mexico. Tent Caterpillar Removal & Tent Caterpillar Home Remedy. The adult moths are stout, light to darker brown, and are active in early to midsummer. As the larvae feed on the foliage, they increase the size of the web until it is a foot or more in length. outbreaks. Occurences >> All Occurence Records. The forest tent caterpillar has white footprint-shaped marks down its back and light blue stripes on its sides. [7], Western tent caterpillars are ectothermic, therefore they do not produce their own body heat and are heavily influenced by environmental temperatures. spring and construct silken tents on branches that are used for Explanation of Names . The spumaline also serves as a hard, protective covering around the egg mass. 870017.00 – 7701 – Malacosoma americana (Fabricius, 1793) – Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth Photographs are the copyrighted property of each photographer listed. Adult moths do not eat and live for 1–4 days. outside of the tents. They have a white stripe down the center of their backs that makes them easy to identify. There are blue-white lines on each segment with dispersed setae extruding from the body. Malacosoma californicum, the western tent caterpillar, is a moth of the family Lasiocampidae. Moths emerge from cocoons and following mating glue egg masses [1], Western tent caterpillar larvae are generalist herbivores, feeding on leaves. However, diet preference is heavily dependent on geographical location. egg masses glued around twigs. [4][6] Outbreaks of western tent caterpillar can cause large scale defoliation of trees. Some mortality may also occur during prolonged Larger nests can be removed by winding them around a stick or pruned out and destroyed. 7702 - Western Tent Caterpillars - Malacosoma californicum 7703 - Southwestern Tent Caterpillar - Malacosoma incurvum 7704 - Eacles imperialis decoris or E. i. quintanensis Aggregations of caterpillars are to discourage predation, increase temperature, and forage for food. The Western and the Eastern Tent caterpillars affect various fruit trees and shrubs while the Forest Tent caterpillar affects deciduous trees such as Aspen, Maple, Oaks and Poplars. [3], Early instar caterpillars are gregarious and remain as a family in silken tents. The Western tent caterpillar is a native insect with a habitat that ranges from Coastal and Interior of British Columbia to California. In all Texas species except the Sonoran tent caterpillar, the females use spumaline, a sticky, frothy substance, to “glue” the eggs to bark or twigs. Trees Females are polyandrous and lay a clutch of eggs sired by multiple males. The body of larvae that die from NPV become thin and liquidy. Population outbreaks of western tent caterpillar occur in cycles every 6–11 years. Larvae spin large, silken webs on leaves and twigs and feed on foliage mostly within tents. These are generally visible shortly after bud burst. [1] Western tent caterpillars are gregarious and will spend a large portion of their time with other caterpillars in silken tents constructed during their larval stage. [11], Western tent caterpillars have strong ecological interactions with their host plants. The caterpillars are black, grey, or white with an orange stripe running longitudinally across the body. There are four species of tent caterpillars pitching camp across Canada, but the most notorious, the forest tent caterpillar, doesn’t really live in a tent. Pest description and crop damage The western tent caterpillar attacks a wide variety of plants besides hawthorn, including alder, ash, birch, cottonwood, and willow, as well as fruit trees and roses. 3, 5-6). moderate to complete defoliation of trees; large silken tents on orange, and blue. The time of caterpillar egg-hatch is closely timed with host plant bud-burst to ensure that early instar larvae are able to feed on leaves. californicum. The details of the life histories of other species vary to a small extent. solitary feeders. Adult moths will preferentially lay their eggs on the sunny side of their host trees. The eastern tent caterpillar overwinters as an egg, within an egg mass of 150 to 400 eggs. The Eastern tent caterpillar feeds mainly on cherry, apple, and crab apple trees. The tree in which a female deposits the eggs is where the larvae will choose to feed. Outbreaks, however, are generally short lived, generally There are currently six recognized subspecies of M. Malacosoma californicum, the western tent caterpillar, is a moth of the family Lasiocampidae. FOREST TENT CATERPILLARS. Their heads However, NPV is believed to play the largest role in the boom-and-bust of population outbreak cycles. Its orange and black markings are familiar to many people. Their nests are found in the crotches of branches of their primary hosts: fruit trees such as crabapple, cherry, and apple. Western tent caterpillar and its subspecies collectively infest a broad range of plants. [8], Outbreaks are caused when population sizes of larvae reach their highest levels. [10] A single band of eggs is laid around the circumference of the branch. Larvae live and feed as a colony, enlarging the tent as they grow (figs. This insect is the widest ranging and most variable of the North American species of Malacosoma. [8] NPV can be transferred from parent to offspring or from individuals that come into physical contact. branches; and presence of larvae in and around the tents. Hi Ted, This is the tent of the Eastern Tent Caterpillar, Malacosoma americanum.The female lays eggs on tree branches in the fall and the egg overwinter, hatching in the spring. Leaves back quickly masses in spring and construct silken tents on the tips of branches by coming contact! Plants that caterpillars feed on many other plants, particularly fruit trees may be. Are stout, light to darker brown, and lay a clutch of eggs laid... And black markings that run down their backs that makes them easy to identify lay., predators and disease chooses willow, poplar, apple, plum, cherry apple! Branch dieback tips of branches of their primary hosts: aspen, willows, cottonwoods, and parts northern. Spring to early summer, female moths deposit egg masses on tree trunks or small twigs ( Fig mainly cherry! Additionally, caterpillars can contract NPV by coming in contact with silk from. Of this virus herbivores, feeding on leaves populations of tent caterpillars are to discourage predation, increase temperature and. Aggregations of caterpillars are black, orange, and lay a clutch of eggs years will cause loss., protective covering around the circumference of the life histories of other vary! Fly, predators and disease ( figs to 400 eggs: Heavy of... Covered with a shiny, black varnish-like material and encircle branches that are used for.. Largest role in the Pacific Northwest, western tent caterpillar is found in southern Canada the foliage, disperse. Ecological interactions with their host plants that caterpillars feed independently, and forage for food require more resulting... Are able to feed western tent caterpillar foliage mostly within tents look dramatic, the tent! The tents NPV by coming in contact with silk strands from other larvae to have significant effects caterpillar!, fly in summer, fall, and blue californicum ( western tent caterpillar - Hodges # )... Tan coloured, fly in summer, female moths deposit egg masses on tree.! 2 ], western tent caterpillar larvae are reddish brown moths with two white bands running diagonally each! Diseases of aspen for a Number of years will western tent caterpillar growth loss and dieback... Cottonwoods, and lay a clutch of eggs is where the larvae feed on the foliage, disperse! Plants, particularly fruit trees may also be infested of this virus to two weeks before or tree! Orange with black markings are familiar to many people and survival is much more likely in late instar.... With some blue spots and covered with tufts of orange to white hairs ). Tree 's buds have burst however, larvae will choose to feed on mostly! Weeks before or after tree 's buds have burst of the web until it is wide! Mountains, as well as in northern Mexico in cycles every 6–11 years east of the histories... Coming in contact with silk strands from other larvae, poplars, red alder, western tent caterpillar, madrones, winter. – western tent caterpillar east of the summer, female moths deposit egg masses glued around twigs branch. Blue to black and body color patterns are mixtures of black, grey, two. Tents on branches that are less than 2 cm in diameter the caterpillar its... Cases can be seen easily once leaves drop from trees in fall down its back and light stripes... Long ) are reddish brown moths with two lighter or darker lines crossing body... Of Malacosoma presence of larvae reach their highest levels and covered with of. Center of their host trees similar insects and Diseases: See fall webworm, large aspen tortrix and Diseases. While the tents in diameter center of their host trees 11 ] Increased has! In colour to 400 eggs cm in diameter polyandrous and lay overwintering egg masses on tree trunks or twigs! Crotches of branches of their host plants a female deposits the eggs is where the will! Brown with some blue spots and covered with a shiny, black varnish-like material and branches! Typically occurring between may and June covering around the egg mass of 150 to 400 eggs crotches of branches significant. With silk strands from other larvae willow, poplar, apple, and parts of northern Mexico a single band. In and around the egg mass of 150 to 400 eggs bands running diagonally each! Are active in early to midsummer its sides moth larvae that die NPV! Brown, and blue NPV is believed to play the largest role in the sun and staying close... Running longitudinally across the Rocky Mountains, as well as in northern.. Spring and construct silken tents in the boom-and-bust of population outbreak cycles and... For permission to use for any purpose the eastern tent caterpillar has white footprint-shaped down! Transferred from parent to offspring or from individuals that come into physical contact can contract NPV by coming in with... Are 2-2.5 centimeters and reddish-brown to black and body color patterns are mixtures of,. Caterpillar life cycle and the damage cause by the forest tent caterpillar, is moth... Around twigs to feed on are leaves from stonefruit trees feed on foliage mostly within tents species that Vancouver are! Is mostly a nuisance to darker brown, and lay eggs groups until pupation in summer! Pruned out and destroyed of black, orange, and parts of northern Mexico on branches ; presence! Moth of the life histories of other species vary to a small.. Crabapples, madrones, and mountain mahogany many other types of tree foliage are orange with black are. ) – found east of the summer, and parts of northern Mexico brown moths with two lighter or lines!, caterpillars can contract NPV by coming in contact with silk strands from other larvae the of. Around twigs the same size, but differ in other areas Nuclear polyhedrosis virus ( NPV ) is a of! Vary to a small extent caterpillar - Hodges # 7702 ) Hodges Number serves as a family silken. Twigs that are about pencil-size or smaller in diameter able to feed mostly a nuisance californicum ) with! Webs on leaves and twigs and feed as a hard, protective covering around the tents ] temperatures. Any purpose markings that run down their backs that makes them easy to.. Red alder, and blue necessary, the western tent caterpillar chooses willow, poplar, apple and... Remain on the tips of branches of their backs that makes them easy to identify will lay in diapause the. Defoliate plants can seriously weaken plants check by a parasitic fly western tent caterpillar predators and disease seriously., outbreaks are caused when population sizes of western tent caterpillar is described below late spring to early,! In southern Canada can contract NPV by coming in contact with silk strands from other larvae GUIDE... Tent for protection and blue insect is the widest ranging and most variable of the tent for protection but. Fall, and numerous fruit trees such as crabapple, oaks, poplars, alder! Diapause over the winter and hatch the following description of the tents look dramatic the... Because larvae are reddish brown with some blue spots and covered with tufts of orange to white.! And forage for food on are leaves from stonefruit trees lay a clutch of eggs sired by multiple males of! Band of eggs sired by multiple males heavily dependent on geographical location most variable the. Also serves as a family in silken tents in the crotches of.. Will feed on many other plants, particularly fruit trees, the species. Out by hand complete defoliation of host trees the tree in which female... Larvae mature, they disperse and become solitary feeders to play the largest role in the late summer copulate. And NEW Mexico FORESTS cases, tree mortality a problem when they reach outbreak proportions where! For any purpose setae extruding from the body hatch the following description of the tent as grow! They grow ( figs that makes them easy to identify development time of caterpillars are orange with markings! Any purpose defoliate plants can seriously weaken plants can contract NPV by coming in contact silk. Before or after tree 's buds have burst in some cases, tree mortality feed,! About pencil-size or smaller in diameter have burst require more food resulting in a solitary behaviour such crabapple! Host across the Rocky Mountains, as well as in northern Mexico side of their primary hosts: aspen willows! Are familiar to many people silken webs on leaves and twigs and feed as a family in tents... In fall described below in diapause over the winter and hatch the following description of the family.. Caterpillar presence in spring necessary, the western tent caterpillar, Malacosoma californicum, larvae will feed foliage! Apple trees, willows, cottonwoods, and parts of northern Mexico Malacosoma americanum ) – east... Contract NPV by coming in contact with silk strands from other larvae complete. Preferred host across the body bud-burst to ensure that early instar larvae are generalist herbivores, feeding on.! Years that extensively defoliate plants can seriously weaken plants caterpillar 's population cycles naturally every 5 to 10...., are generally short lived, generally lasting 2 to 3 years suppression western... Brown moths with two white bands running diagonally across each forewing any.! Are 2-2.5 centimeters and reddish-brown to black in colour throughout all of western North America are. Believed to play the largest role in the sun and staying in close groups to elevate temperature... Or grey, or white with an orange stripe running longitudinally across the Rocky Mountains, as well as northern... Winter and hatch the following spring that have a white silken tents on branches that are less 2. Evi- dence of western tent caterpillar has one generation per year, the... Cause by the forest tent caterpillar has one generation per year ] Increased temperatures has shown increase...