Tent caterpillar is the larva (second stage in the life cycle) of certain moths that damage trees. Tent caterpillars get their name because most species spin loose, white, tentlike webs in the forks of trees. The caterpillars crawl from this tent to feed on leaves.
In midsummer, the female tent caterpillar moth lays masses of from 150 to 350 shiny brown eggs. The larvae hatch from the eggs the following spring. After four to six weeks, the larvae migrate from the tree to find a protected place, such as beneath fallen leaves or branches. There, they spin silky white cocoons and enter the pupa stage. After 10 days to 2 weeks, pale brown moths emerge from the cocoons.
Tent caterpillars damage trees because they eat the leaves. A nest of these caterpillars can eat all the leaves on a small tree and kill it. The eastern tent caterpillar feeds on many kinds of fruit and shade trees. It has a yellowish-white stripe edged by two orangish lines along its back. The forest tent caterpillar is the only species that does not build a tent. It has two thin orange lines and a central line of white diamonds along its back. Both species are black with blue spots and whitish hair. They are found in the eastern and central parts of North America. Tent caterpillars can be controlled by collecting their egg masses or by burning the larvae in their tents.
