Comments on: Gypsy Moths? Help me identify these leaf-eating caterpillars

By: aboutinsects

aboutinsects — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:15:06 +0000

If they've disappeared, they've likely wandered off to pupate so you shouldn't have anymore damage on your trees. The adult butterflies emerge in summer, but aestivate (stay dormant) until fall. Unlike most butterflies, mourning cloaks don't nectar on flowers, or do so rarely. Instead, you'll see them on the trunks of trees, feeding on tree sap. Cool, eh?

I'd love to use on of your photos on my site. If you'd be willing to give me permission, please email me at insects.guide (at) about.com and let me know how you would like your photo credited.

Debbie

By: David

David — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:03:01 +0000

" it really doesn’t matter now, because when I went out this morning they were gone."

You ate them didn’t you?

Way to go Debbie!

By: greg

greg — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 03:18:55 +0000

Yes! Debbie, that’s exactly what they are. Should I worry they’ll spread to my trees, or is this just a seasonal, few leaves at a time kind of caterpillar?

Note: it really doesn’t matter now, because when I went out this morning they were gone.

By: aboutinsects

aboutinsects — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 02:34:55 +0000

Hi. I'm Debbie, the Guide to Insects on About.com. These are the caterpillars of mourning cloak butterflies, not tent caterpillars! Mourning cloak butterflies are unusual in that they spend the winter as adults, and are often the earliest butterflies you'll see in spring.

By: Fiona

Fiona — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:38:09 +0000

These guys go after your trees but there are a lot of other hungry things out there ready to attach your veggies and other plants. K-Neem spray http://www.dirtworks.net/Neem-Oil-K+Neem.html or this is great info for preserving your garden & trees from these munching demons. http://yourorganicgardeningblog.com/

By: bigticketdw

bigticketdw — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:56:24 +0000

I saw these all over the place when I was in Colorado last week, and was told they are western tent caterpillars. Apparently, they are quite a nuisance to local foliage there.

By: Robert Moffitt

Robert Moffitt — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:47:31 +0000

They look like tent catepillers to me. Is the tree they are eating a fruit tree (such as a crab apple)? Tent catepillers have a particular fondness for fruit trees.

By: Fiona

Fiona — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 04:57:42 +0000

Though they do look as though they may be Eastern Tent caterpillars with the webbing on the leaves as well. Great caterpillar identification site here: http://bit.ly/PQIgL. But considering how destructive a group like that can be to foliage I would do something to get rid of them, a simple Neem spray should do the trick, natural and harmless to plants.

By: Fiona

Fiona — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 03:38:44 +0000

Perhaps Satin Moths? http://insects.about.com/od/photography/ig/Tussock-Moth-Caterpillars/satinmoth.htm