WSU Extension

Hortsense

Common Insects & Mites
 
Aphids 
Asian lady beetle 
Bark beetles 
Brown marmorated stink bug 
Brown soft scale 
California gallfly 
Conifer aphids 
Cottony camellia scale 
Cutworms and loopers 
Earwigs 
Eriophyid mites 
Exotic longhorned beetles 
Fall webworm 
Inchworms 
Leafhoppers 
Leafminers 
Leafrollers 
Lecanium scale 
Oystershell scale 
Pamphilid sawflies 
Pear slug 
Root weevils 
Sapsucker damage 
Shothole borer 
Skeletonizers 
Slugs 
Sowbugs, pillbugs, and millipedes 
Spider mites 
Spotted wing Drosophila (SWD) 
Tent caterpillars 



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Caption: Tent caterpillars
Photo by: S.J. Collman
  
Common Insects & Mites : Tent caterpillars
(revision date: 4/30/2013)


Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.

Biology
The most common tent caterpillar in home landscapes is the western tent caterpillar. It typically has a dark body with white and orange or yellow markings and a bluish dashed line down the center of the back. Long whitish or yellowish hairs are found along the length of the body. Adult moths lay eggs in a foamlike mass around current-year twigs, where the caterpillars overwinter as tiny larvae inside their eggshells. In spring and early summer, characteristic tents are made on the tips of branches. Young caterpillars typically feed in large groups in the protection of the nests. Older caterpillars feed in small groups or as individuals. They can partially or completely defoliate trees, causing some loss of vigor. Badly weakened trees may be killed, but damage is rarely this severe. The western tent caterpillar is famous for 2- to 3-year epidemic cycles on many kinds of trees. They almost disappear for several years following outbreaks.
Management Options


Non-Chemical Management
  • Pick out and destroy the foamy-looking, grayish, 1/2" egg cases during the fall and winter. These may be found in bands around twigs or in flattened masses on trunks.
  • Several natural parasites and predators help control tent caterpillar populations. Avoid use of broad-spectrum insecticides which kill beneficial insects.
  • Strip or prune out and destroy nests and caterpillars as soon as noticed. This is best done in early morning or evening, when caterpillars are gathered in the nests.
Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

Chemical Management
IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides

Pesticides are generally not recommended. If you choose to make an application, make certain that the pesticide applied is registered for the host and effective against the pest. Carefully read and follow label instructions. Homeowners should not make foliar applications to trees over 10 ft tall. Consult a commercial pesticide applicator for treatment of trees and shrubs over 10 ft. tall.

Images

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Caption: Tent caterpillars
Photo by: S.J. Collman
Caption: Tent caterpillar egg mass
Photo by: A.L. Antonelli
Caption: Tent caterpillars and webbing
Photo by: R.S. Byther