W is for Web of the Eastern Tent Caterpillars

The webs are pretty scary looking from the tree's point of view, but apparently, there is no permanent damage being done. The Malacosoma disstrium moth lays her eggs in mid summer around the twig of a tree - 200 to 300 of them. The eggs overwinter and hatch the following spring. The larvae (caterpillars) immediate climb up the tree to a crotch of branches and build a silk tent. The tent is for protection. They especially prefer trees from the Roseacae family (mainly cherries and apples). Interestingly, the cherry leaves are cyanogenic and the caterpillars regurgitate cyanide-laden juices when disturbed. Anyway they expand the web daily to accommodate their increasing size. They feed for 6t08 weeks and when they are fully grown, they will climb down from the tree and look for a place to rest (pupate). Once it finds a suitable place, it builds a yellowish silk coccoon and seeks a mate. When they leave the tent, they can be picked up by many predators as they cross roads, driveways and lawns. I have often found these coccoons in my garage and hanging off shingles of the house.