Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth

What it is

The eastern tent caterpillar (Malacosoma americanum) is a species of moth in the family Lasiocampidae, the tent caterpillars or lappet moths. It is univoltine, producing one generation per year. It is a tent caterpillar, a social species that forms communal nests in the branches of trees. It is sometimes confused with the gypsy moth and the fall webworm, and may be erroneously referred to as a bagworm, which is the common name applied to unrelated caterpillars...

Where and when to find it

Habitat

You can find their tents in deciduous trees like cherry, apple, and oak trees across much of the eastern and central United States.

How to find it

Look for distinctive white, silken 'tents' nestled in the forks of tree branches, especially in spring. The caterpillars will be inside!

Best time of day

Caterpillars are active in spring and early summer; moths emerge in late spring to mid-summer.

How it lives

What it eats

Leaves from cherry, apple, and other fruit trees

What eats it

Birds (like cuckoos), predatory insects, some mammals

Worth knowing

• The caterpillars leave a silk trail wherever they go, like a tiny roadmap.
• They leave their tent to eat and return to it for warmth and safety.
• The adult moth is a reddish-brown, fuzzy insect that flies at night.
• Sleeping inside the tent helps them stay warm, especially on chilly mornings.
• They are one of the first caterpillars to appear in spring.
• Thousands of caterpillars can live in one large tent!

Why it matters

They are an important food source for many birds and other animals. Their tents can sometimes defoliate trees but rarely cause lasting harm.