Eastern Tent Caterpillars Invade Area
By Tom Stong on Wednesday, April 28th, 2010 |
The Eastern Tent Caterpillar (ETC) has been found in Huntington County on flowering trees. These pests can appear in large numbers and can nearly defoliate a small tree. This insect is one of the first insects out in the spring-time and sometimes hatches even before leaf buds break. These web-making insects are called tent caterpillars because they produce webs in the central crotches of trees.
Some folks may see the ETC caterpillars and mistake them for the Gypsy Moth larvae or other webworms. Gypsy Moth caterpillars have actually appeared approximately two weeks earlier than normal. The appearance of Gypsy Moth caterpillars can change as they molt throughout late April and May. Note that other webworms normally do not appear until summer. So, if you see find a caterpillar web in a flowering tree in early spring, it is likely an ETC.
Eastern tent caterpillars are dark in color with a white stripe down the back, and they can grow up to 2 inches long. The mature caterpillars will spin a cocoon. Adult moths will then emerge in late June or July. There is only one generation each year.
Purdue University Entomologist, Cliff Sadof, says that ETCs are relatively easy to control. "If there are only a few nests and they are low enough to reach, I would recommend removing them by hand," Sadof said. "However, if manually removing them isn't practical because of the number of nests or their location in the tree, there are a couple of pesticides that will do the trick."
When caterpillars are removed by hand, submerging them in a bucket of soapy water will kill them. "To prevent the offensive odor associated with the decay of large numbers of caterpillars, homeowners should be sure to sweep up the dead insects and toss them into the compost or a trash bin," Sadof said.
For situations where removing Eastern tent caterpillars by hand isn't practical, effective pesticides are those that include Spinosad, Bacillus thuringiensis. While acephate, carbaryl (sold under the trade name, Sevin) and pyrethroid insecticides can kill Eastern tent caterpillars, Sadof said these insecticides also kill beneficial insects that prevent problems with mites and scales. Eastern tent caterpillars very rarely affect tree health, but heavily infested trees can be completely defoliated. They also can create a nuisance after they finish feeding.
"After the caterpillars have finished feeding in May, the presence of thousands of 2-inch caterpillars has given more than one homeowner a terrific fright," Sadof said. "This can have the unfortunate result of turning a patio into a quivering mass of hairy caterpillars."
For more information, contact Ed Farris, Agriculture and Natural Resource Educator, Purdue Extension – Huntington County Office, 354 N Jefferson – Suite 202, Huntington by calling 260-358-4826.It is the policy of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service that all persons have equal opportunity and access to its educational programs, services, activities, and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability or status as a veteran. Purdue University is an Affirmative Action institution.
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