Caterpillars

A: If you notice dark hairy caterpillars eating the leaves on your trees, you may have forest tent caterpillars, eastern tent caterpillars or gypsy moths. See the question, "How do I know which type of caterpillar is eating my tree?" below and the link to the Comparison Chart for Forest Tent Caterpillar, Eastern Tent Caterpillar and Gypsy Moth for distinguishing characteristics.

A: Tent caterpillars and gypsy moths eat leaves in the spring. Deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves each fall) can regrow a new set of leaves by July and can usually withstand 2-3 successive years of defoliation (removal of leaves) without being killed. However, defoliation does reduce the vigor and resistance of the tree; it becomes more susceptible to pests and diseases. Mortality can occur when other stresses such as disease or other insect outbreaks attack trees in the same year. Evergreens are eaten when populations of gypsy moths are very high. Evergreens do not regrow leaves as easily as deciduous trees and can die as a result of complete defoliation.

A: Not necessarily. Healthy deciduous trees can survive 2-3 successive years of defoliation without mortality (dying). Trees defoliated early in the season often grow a new, smaller set of leaves in July once tent caterpillars and gypsy moths stop feeding.

A: The easiest way to tell them apart is by the patterns on the caterpillars. The gypsy moth caterpillar has five pairs of blue spots followed by six pairs of red spots along its back. The eastern tent caterpillar has a white line down its back with light blue and black spots on its sides. The forest tent caterpillar has white footprint-shaped marks down its back and light blue stripes on its sides.

Another caterpillar that is sometimes confused with the eastern tent caterpillar because it also makes tents in trees and eats leaves is the fall webworm. The fall webworm differs from the eastern tent caterpillar in several ways: its tent always begins at the tips of branches and gradually extends down the branch toward the trunk; fall webworms feed on foliage inside the tent (eastern tent caterpillars make their tents in the forks of branches and feeds on leaves outside the tent); the fall webworm is hairy, pale green or yellow, and has black or reddish spots along its back and there is usually more than one generation each year. Fall webworms make their tents in July and August, while eastern tent caterpillars make their tents in spring. Fall webworms are usually not considered harmful to trees, except for the aesthetic quality of the tents. Fall webworms are harmful when they feed on the regrowth of trees that were defoliated earlier in the season by other caterpillars.

A: They are most likely fall webworms. See the previous question, answer and photo.

A: Contact with these insects is generally not harmful with a few exceptions. Some individuals may develop skin rashes or irritations from contact with gypsy moth hairs, including those on the outside of egg masses. Researchers have found that ingestion of eastern tent caterpillars only by pregnant horses can cause them to miscarry (mare reproductive loss syndrome). There is no evidence that ingestion of eastern tent caterpillars is harmful to humans or other animals.

A: There is currently no State program in New York to spray for tent caterpillars or gypsy moths on State or private property. There are no State funds available to property owners for managing tent caterpillars or gypsy moths.

A: For homeowners, the first option to consider is to do nothing. Healthy deciduous trees usually survive defoliation and grow back a second set of leaves in July. Manual control on individual trees includes hand removal of egg masses, inhabited tents and pupa, and installation of sticky tree wraps on trunks to capture caterpillars as they move up and down trees. Do not leave egg masses on the ground; drop them in a container of detergent. Do not attempt to burn tents while they are on trees. This is hazardous to the health of the tree.

A: Maybe. Remember, tent caterpillars are native and a natural part of our ecosystem, and gypsy moths have "naturalized" in our forest communities. These caterpillars will always be around, sometimes in small, unnoticeable numbers. If dense concentrations of tent or gypsy moth caterpillars cause a decline in the trees' health or threaten an economic resource such as a sugar bush, spraying may be an option.

Various insecticides for tent caterpillars and gypsy moths are available at garden centers. Insecticides are divided into two general groups: microbial/biological and chemical. Microbial and biological pesticides contain living organisms that must be consumed (eaten) by the pest. They are most effective on small, young caterpillars. As they mature, caterpillars become more resistant to microbial pesticides. The most common microbial and biological insecticide is Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Bt occurs naturally in soil and on plants. It is harmless to people, animals, and plants, but does affect young moth and butterfly larvae. When Bt is eaten, the caterpillar becomes paralyzed, stops feeding, and dies of starvation or disease.

Chemical insecticides are contact poisons. These chemicals can have a potential impact on a variety of beneficial insects (such as honeybees), so they should be used wisely.

Professional pesticide applicators can be found in the yellow pages under Tree Service. In order to use restricted insecticides, applicators must be certified. For a list, see the link to NYS certified pesticide applicators.

In certain cases it may be economically feasible to spray large areas. Maple syrup producers may be interested in aerial spraying since severe defoliations can reduce maple syrup production.

Spraying is not effective against pupae or egg masses, and is less effective once caterpillars reach 1 inch long. Nesting birds, beneficial insects, and other animals could be endangered by use of chemical insecticides.

A: The short answer is no. FTC and ETC are a natural part of our forest ecosystem. The good news is that their populations fluctuate and after a few years of high numbers, their populations usually drop. Populations of tent caterpillars reaching highly noticeable levels run approximately on 10-year cycles and usually last 2-3 years. Natural Control: Caterpillars are attacked by birds, rodents, parasites, and diseases. Extremes in temperature can also reduce population numbers.

A: We recommend delaying timber harvests in defoliated areas for two or three years after an outbreak to minimize additional stress on trees. Time will also allow you to see which trees remain healthy and alter harvesting plans if necessary. (See link to NYS DEC Forest Tent Caterpillar Defoliator Report 2005.)

A: Defoliated trees have decreased food storage. Sugar maple sap flow and sugar content may decrease in the year following defoliation.