Eastern tent caterpillar outbreaks patchy and localized

Questions about this information? Contact us.

Updated from an original article written by Dave Smitley, Michigan State University Extension, Department of Entomology.

Silky tents, defoliation of infested trees and wandering caterpillars could mean you’re in a hotspot for eastern tent caterpillars.

You may or may not be seeing large (6 to 18 inches long), silky tents in the branches of wild cherry, cultivated Prunus spp., or crabapples, depending on where you live. Populations tend to build rapidly for a few years then collapse due to an abundance of predators, parasites and diseases. If you are in a hot-spot for eastern tent caterpillars, you may see lots of tents, some defoliation of infested trees and wandering caterpillars. In the southern half of the Lower Peninsula, caterpillars are expected to complete development and stop feeding by the end of May.

eastern tent caterpillar
Full-grown eastern tent caterpillar.
Photo credit: University of Kentucky

eastern tent caterpillar
Eastern tent caterpillar. Photo credit: Wangshaopeng

tent
Tent made by eastern tent caterpillars.
Photo credit: Paula Shrewsberry, UMD

By the way, be careful when attempting to identify insects using a Google picture search. The fourth image posted by Google when I searched for eastern tent caterpillar was a gyspy moth caterpillar. Further investigation revealed that it is an image from an article discussing caterpillars which may be confused with gypsy moths. Be sure to read articles that the images come from.

gypsy moth caterpillar
This gypsy moth caterpillar was the fourth image
posted after a Google search for eastern tent caterpillar.

forest tent caterpillar
This forest tent caterpillar was among the first 10
images posted on Google after a search for pictures
of eastern tent caterpillar.

Dr. Smitley’s work is funded in part by MSU’s AgBioResearch.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Did you find this article useful?

You Might Also Be Interested In

Tag List
  • integrated pest management,
  • landscaping,
  • lawn & garden,
  • msu extension,
  • pest management
Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).