A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Malacosoma americanum
I found these first instar caterpillars while I was walking on the trail. You cannot tell from the photos, but many of the caterpillars were climbing on the branches in single file.
Found on what appeared to be a young tree or shrub. It was difficult to tell because the caterpillars had eaten much of the new growth.
First caterpillar spotting of this spring.
Hello! Thank you for sharing that information. I did not realize that gypsy moths did not construct tents until I began some research online. When I was younger there was an outbreak of tent caterpillars, and I remember people burning and spraying the nests. I was told that they were gypsy moths at the time. It is strange to think that they were actually a native species. I look forward to watching these little guys grow.
Here's a very helpful, easy-to-understand comparison between gypsy moth and tent caterpillars. In essence, gypsy moths do not build tents, according to this website.
http://agr.wa.gov/PlantsInsects/InsectPe...
Spotted on May 4, 2015
Submitted on May 5, 2015
