Tent Caterpillar

application methods The pesticide application method you choose depends on the nature and habits of the target pest, the properties of the pesticide, the suitability of the application equipment, and the cost and efficiency of alternative methods. Your choice is often predetermined by one or more of these factors. Follow label direction for volume recommendations and application rates based on the pest to be controlled and utilize appropriate application tips on equipment.

The female moths are dull reddish-brown with a wing expanse of 1 1/2 to 2 inches. Males are smaller. The front wings of each are crossed by two whitish, oblique, parallel lines.

Mature larvae, or caterpillars, are 2 to 2 1/2 inches long. The head and body are generally deep black. There is a white stripe along the back of the body and a row of oval, pale blue spots on each side. There are many short, irregular brownish markings on the side of each body segment. Long, fine, brown hairs sparsely clothe the body.

Tent worms make their tent-like nests in the forks of branches while webworm nests are located at the ends of branches. Fall webworms also enclose foliage or leaves within these nests. Tent caterpillars do not.

Studies have shown that eastern tent caterpillars recruit their tent mates to go on food finds. Caterpillars move from the tent in search of food, laying down an exploratory pheromone trail as they pass over the branches of the host tree. These chemical exploratory trails allow caterpillars to find their way back to the tent. If a caterpillar finds food and feeds to repletion, it returns to the tent, laying down a recruitment trail that serves to recruit hungry tent mates to its food find. The chemical nature of the pheromone has been determined, but it is unclear how exploratory and recruitment trails differ. The chemical recruitment trail of the eastern tent caterpillar is remarkably similar to the pheromone trails that are used by ants and termites to alert nest mates to the discovery of food.

The caterpillars are aggressive feeders, and frequently completely strip host trees of foliage. Healthy trees usually refoliate and survive, but loss of foliage retards radial growth and may cause dieback in crowns.

1.Destruction of worthless apple and wild cherry trees will help reduce infestations of eastern tent caterpillar on nearby shade trees and ornamentals. Removal and burning of tents in early spring during daylight hours when the larvae are inhabiting these shelters is also good control practice. This approach should be used cautiously on small ornamentals. Removal of overwintering egg masses during late summer and fall may be an effective way to reduce populations on small trees. When necessary, the use of chemical or microbial sprays after egg hatch in April or early May gives good control.

2. Prevention and early control is important. Larger tents may be pruned out and destroyed or removed by winding the nest upon the end of a stick. Burning the tents out with a torch is not recommended since this can easily damage the tree.

3. Mechanical methods can be effective in controlling tent caterpillars on small trees and shrubs. Physical removal of egg masses and the caterpillars from the trees can greatly reduce their numbers. Egg masses are best removed during the winter when they are easily spotted. The caterpillars are best removed during the early instar stage while they are feeding in a group and utilizing the tent or pad.

Destruction of worthless apple and wild cherry trees will help reduce infestations of eastern tent caterpillar on nearby shade trees and ornamentals. Removal and burning of tents in early spring during daylight hours when the larvae are inhabiting these shelters is also good control practice. This approach should be used cautiously on small ornamentals. Removal of overwintering egg masses during late summer and fall may be an effective way to reduce populations on small trees. When necessary, the use of chemical or microbial sprays after egg hatch in April or early May gives good control.

Prevention and early control is important. Larger tents may be pruned out and destroyed or removed by winding the nest upon the end of a stick. Burning the tents out with a torch is not recommended since this can easily damage the tree.

Mechanical methods can be effective in controlling tent caterpillars on small trees and shrubs. Physical removal of egg masses and the caterpillars from the trees can greatly reduce their numbers. Egg masses are best removed during the winter when they are easily spotted. The caterpillars are best removed during the early instar stage while they are feeding in a group and utilizing the tent or pad.

Manufacturer Recommended Products And Treatment For Tent caterpillar Control

Pests need food, water, and shelter. Often the problem may be solved just by removing these key items. Before even thinking about chemical pest control, it is important to be aware of

Pesticides can be purchased in many different forms, each form has specific uses and

, these application methods are for informational purposes only. To know specific applications method/s for the product you buy, please refer actual packages for complete Label Verbiage.

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	Conducive Condition	Recommendation
1	Tree branches on house	Keep tree branches away from house to reduce pest access
2	Firewood next to foundation	Keep firewood away from house to reduce pest harborage
3	Debris on crawlspace/next to foundation	Remove wood debris to reduce termite ha rborage area
4	Excessive plant cover, stump, etc.	Providing spacing between plant cover and structure
5	Soil above the foundation Ii ne	Keep soil below top of foundation to reduce harbo rage areas
6	Wood-to-ground contact	Keep soil from touching wood to eliminate termite access
7	Debris on roof/full gutter	Keep gutter & roof free of debris to reduce insect harborage
8	Standi ng water near/under structure	Eliminate standing water to reduce pest harbo rage
9	Mo isture problem under structure	Increase ventilation to reduce pest harbo rage area
10	Openi ngs at plumbi ng & electronics	Seal opening to reduce pest access
11	Excessive gaps at windows/doors	Seal gaps to reduce pest access
12	Lea ky plumb ing fixtures	Repair to reduce moisture for pests
13	Keep garbage cans covered	Covered to reduce attraction of insects of vertebrate pests
14	Mo isture damage wood	Repair rotten or damaged wood to reduce insect harborage
15	Grocery bags stored improperly	Seal paper sacks in containers to reduce i nsect ha rborage areas
16	Pet food unsealed or left out	Keep pet food in sealed containers and unavailable to pests
17	Excessive storage conditions	Keep storage areas uncluttered and manageable
18	Debris below kick plates	Remove kick plates to reduce rodent harborage

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