Fall Webworm (emerging from nest)

Description:

These caterpillars are late instar larva that have emerged from the nest and are ready to pupate. They have shiny black heads, and light yellow bodies covered in long and short white hairs. Two rows of black comma shaped marks run down the length of their body. As adults they will be white moths.

Habitat:

These North American natives feed on any type of deciduous tree. This one is a boxelder maple (generally viewed as a weed-tree as it has little aethestic value in gardens and produces no quality lumber). Beginning at the ends of the branch and working inward, the fall webworm larva encases the leaves and branches in a silky webbing, creating a nest. The larva can then feed on the encased leaves in relative safety, leaving bare branches and a nest filled with droppings in pellet form.

Notes:

I was so intent on not trodding on snakes and wood frogs that I actually failed to noticed this large nest as I approached the area. Once there, I focused on taking pictures of other things (a grass skippers and a plant hopper and managed to crawl directly beneath it. I was under it for at least five minutes before I realized what was above me. After doing the EEk EEk Are There Caterpillers In My Hair dance, I took pictures of this as well.