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Malacosoma americanum
Eastern tent caterpillars are among the earliest of caterpillars to appear in the spring. They are a social species that form communal nests in tree branches. The moths lay eggs (200-300 eggs per batch) almost exclusively on trees in the Rosaceae family including Cherry and Apple. Newly hatched caterpillars initiate the construction of a silk tent soon after emerging, expanding the tent each day to accommodate their increasing size. Tent caterpillars vigorously thrash the anterior part of their bodies when they detect predators and parasitoids. This thrashing, which may be initiated by a single caterpillar, radiates rapidly though the colony and may result in group displays involving dozens of caterpillars. Such displays create a moving target for tachinid flies, wasps and other small parasitoids that lay their eggs on or in the body of the caterpillar. Few birds find the hairy caterpillars palatable, the leaves of the cherry tree are cyanogenic and the caterpillars regurgitate cyanide-laden juices when disturbed. The caterpillars are hairy with areas of blue, white, black and orange.
Native to North America. Open, sunny areas on Rosaceae trees. Host Plants: Trees in the Rosaceae family; Cherry, Apple, Plum, Peach, Hawthorn trees.
Spotted on Apr 7, 2012
Submitted on Apr 10, 2012
2 Comments
It's a shame they are only lovely up close... I hate looking at those giant webs in my trees, although we usually have more webs of the fall webworm that nest in the hardwood trees.
We have several of these 'webs' around here. The caterpillars appear to be an off-white color and not as pretty as these. they haven't yet begun to leave the web. I am going to have to watch to see if they change into these lovely colors or if they stay bland.