Eastern Tent Caterpillar on Apple
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Eastern tent caterpillar (Malacosoma americanum) larvae are hairy, black with a white stripe down backs. Caterpillars have brown and yellow lines along sides, as well as a row of oval blue spots. Masses of 150 to 400 eggs are covered with shiny, black varnish-like material. Masses encircle branches that are about pencil-size or smaller in diameter. Moths are reddish-brown with two pale stripes running diagonally across each forewing.
Eastern tent caterpillar.
(Photo John, Strang, University of Kentucky)
Eastern tent caterpillar with egg case.
(Photo John, Strang, University of Kentucky)
Management:
- Insecticide sprays for codling moth and oriental fruit moth usually manage tent caterpillars
