caterpillar - Ask Extension
I've tried using the keys online and was not successful. What is this? It is on my white oaks mainly. Thanks -
Claudia
Knowledgebase
caterpillar #128039
Asked May 18, 2013, 11:47 AM EDT
I've tried using the keys online and was not successful. What is this? It is on my white oaks mainly. Thanks -
Claudia
Jackson County Oregon
Expert Response
I think this is probably the Pacific tent caterpillar, Malacosom.
constrictum, the larvae usually feed only on oaks. Pacific tent
caterpillars produce small tents a few inches wide. Larvae feed openly in
groups when they are young and usually enter the tent only to molt. Tent
caterpillars feed on deciduous trees and shrubs. Larvae form silken webs on
foliage. They forage on foliage but do not eat leaf veins.
Adult tent caterpillars are hairy, medium-size, day-flying moths, usually dull brown, yellow, or gray in color.
Inspect plants regularly and when larvae are young, prune out tents or clip and dispose of infested branches if this can be done without cutting major limbs. On heavy infestations, Bacillus thuringiensis or spinosad can be applied if high-pressure spray equipment is used so that insecticide penetrates any webbing. Generally speaking, the damage caused by tent caterpillars doesn't unduly harm the trees if the the trees aren't under other stress.
There's good life bilogy information at http://pnwmoths.biol.wwu.edu/browse/family-lasiocampidae/subfamily-lasiocampinae/malacosoma/malacosoma-constrictum/
Adult tent caterpillars are hairy, medium-size, day-flying moths, usually dull brown, yellow, or gray in color.
Inspect plants regularly and when larvae are young, prune out tents or clip and dispose of infested branches if this can be done without cutting major limbs. On heavy infestations, Bacillus thuringiensis or spinosad can be applied if high-pressure spray equipment is used so that insecticide penetrates any webbing. Generally speaking, the damage caused by tent caterpillars doesn't unduly harm the trees if the the trees aren't under other stress.
There's good life bilogy information at http://pnwmoths.biol.wwu.edu/browse/family-lasiocampidae/subfamily-lasiocampinae/malacosoma/malacosoma-constrictum/
