Wingless Fall Canker Worm Female moth

Description:

The larva of this native moth wreaks havoc on our trees. We have so many Willow Oaks that they are particularly affected. We band our trees with sticky stuff hoping to trap this wingless female as she climbs up the trunk of the tree to stop her from laying eggs. At the first cold temperatures in the late fall (late November), the adult moths leave their cocoons in the soil. Female moths crawl up the trunks of trees or any vertical object, looking for the highest point or branches on which to lay eggs.We have caught 1000 on a large tree band - infestation! The larva can totally defoliate a tree and although they can grow a second set of leaves after the larva are gone because this has been happening repeatedly for years it is taking a toll on our trees. The day this picture was taken hundreds were emerging and climbing up the side of our mobile classroom. There are so many larva that it sounds like its raining when their poop starts dropping. When the larva finishes feeding they start dropping from the trees by silk strands and you don't want to walk under the trees because you will get covered.

Habitat:

urban schoolyard, Willow Oak trees