2 (1 = rare 5 = annual)

2 (1 = very little damage 5 = plants killed)

Eastern tent caterpillar predominantly feeds on fruit type trees both edible as well as the ornamental forms.

Shrub

• Cranberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster apiculatus)
• Rockspray Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis)
• Scarlet Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea)

Tree

• Black Cherry, Wild Cherry (Prunus serotina)
• Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)
• Crabapple (Malus species and hybrids)

Tree Fruit

• Apple (Malus pumila)
• Plums (European - Prunus domestica; Japanese -P. salicina)

A silk nest/tent at a branch crotch and defoliation in the spring are the main symptoms.

The insect over winters in an egg mass that is wrapped around twigs no thicker than a pencil. Eggs begin to hatch as new growth begins to emerge. The small caterpillars crawl down the branch to a branch crotch. Working as a group, each group of caterpillars from an egg mass spins their own silk tent in the branch crotch. Initially, there is one tent for eachgroup. Six to eight weeks after hatching the caterpillars leave the tree to pupate. Cocoons are white to yellowish. The adult moths appear in June-July. Eggs are laid on twigs in Illinois soon after. Larvae are usually black with a white or yellowish stripe down their back. In addition there are blue spots between two yellow stripes that run down both sides of the caterpillar. The caterpillars are also "hairy". Adults are tan to brown with two white stripes across each forewing.

Physically crushing the nest when the caterpillars are in the nest, during the night or on cloudy days greatly helps reduce feeding damage. Finding and removing these egg masses while the tree/shrub is dormant andleafless during the winter, eliminates damage to the tree the following spring. Bacterial insecticides are effective against this insect.

Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide
The Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide (C1391) provides is written for homeowners and other residents and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations for controlling pests associated with trees, shrubs, turf, flowers, groundcovers, vegetables, fruit, and houses. In addition, you'll find detailed information about integrated pest management, pesticide safety, and pesticide application and calibration techniques. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "C1391").
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Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook
The Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook (ICLT) is written for professional applicators and provides nonchemical and current chemical recommendations as well as application timing information for all major pests of turf, woody ornamentals and herbaceous ornamentals. This publication may be purchased at your local University of Illinois Extension Unit office, or by calling 800-345-6087, or by placing an order online (search for "ICLT").
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U of IL - Distance Diagnosis through Digital Imaging
A free plant, weed, insect and disease identification service available through your local University of Illinois Extension office. Center Educators or State Specialists review & respond to information and digital images submitted by local Extension office personnel. Some samples may require further examination or culture work (nominal fee involved) at the U of IL Plant Clinic.
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U of IL - Plant Clinic
Services include plant and insect identification, diagnosis of disease, insect, weed and chemical injury (chemical injury on field crops only), nematode assays, and help with nutrient related problems, as well as recommendations involving these diagnoses. Microscopic examinations, laboratory culturing, virus assays, and nematode assays are some of the techniques used in the clinic.
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