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tent worms

Malacosoma sp.

Description:

Tent worms are caterpillars of the genus Malacosoma in the moth family Lasiocampidae.

Habitat:

Observed along an urban nature trail (South Creek Greenway Trail) in Springfield, Missouri.

Notes:

"Tent caterpillars hatch from their eggs in the early spring at the time the leaves of their host trees are just unfolding. The caterpillars establish their tent soon after they [emerge]."

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6 Comments

Scott Frazier
Scott Frazier 8 years ago

If you look closely at mine you can see the worms. That is how I made the ID. Cheers

dcslaugh
dcslaugh 8 years ago

Scott, please see the picture I just posted. Is mine a cobweb or a Tent Worm tent?

dcslaugh
dcslaugh 8 years ago

Thank you, Scott!

Scott Frazier
Scott Frazier 8 years ago

Hello dcslaugh. The giant web is their "tent" from which they get their name. Newly hatched caterpillars start building their tent out of silk, soon after emerging.

dcslaugh
dcslaugh 8 years ago

What spider trapped them with that giant web?

Ava T-B
Ava T-B 8 years ago

Please consider adding this spotting to the Animal Architecture mission at http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/8082...

Scott Frazier
Spotted by
Scott Frazier

Springfield, Missouri, USA

Spotted on Jul 15, 2014
Submitted on May 4, 2015

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