Tree problems · Insect
Eastern Tent Caterpillar: signs and what to do
Eastern Tent Caterpillar is an insect pest, often seen on wild cherry, crabapple and apple, plum and other fruit trees. Look for: silky white tents in the forks of branches in spring.
General information, not a diagnosis. A certified arborist or your county extension office can confirm.
- Insect
- Wild cherry
- Crabapple and apple
- Plum and other fruit trees
- Other members of the rose family
Signs to look for
Tick what you see. More ticks make it more likely, but only an on-site look can confirm.
0 of 6 signs ticked. Ticks stay in this browser only.
Season
Eggs hatch in early spring about when buds open. Caterpillars feed for several weeks in spring, then leave to spin cocoons. Only one generation a year.
How it spreads
Moths lay egg masses on twigs in early summer, and the eggs overwinter. Caterpillars hatch the next spring and stay near the same tree. Wandering caterpillars may crawl onto other plants or walls.
Where it is found
Eastern tent caterpillar is a native insect found across much of the eastern half of the US, with cherry trees as a favorite host. Check your state official map; ranges change.
Official sources
What to do
- 1
Prune off small tents on low branches in the early morning or evening when caterpillars are inside, then bag and throw them away.
- 2
Scrape or prune off black egg bands from twigs in winter, if you can reach them safely.
- 3
Do not burn tents in the tree. Fire is dangerous and hurts the tree.
- 4
Check young trees often. A healthy mature tree usually regrows a second set of leaves.
- 5
If a spray is needed on a young tree, use a product labeled for caterpillars and follow the label.
Safety first: do not climb, do not cut near power lines and do not use a chainsaw on storm-loaded wood. Call the utility for downed lines and 911 if anyone is in danger.
Prevention
Remove wild cherry seedlings that grow near your yard if you want fewer visits. Inspect fruit and cherry trees for egg bands in winter. Water and mulch to keep trees strong enough to regrow leaves.
When to call a pro
Call a licensed arborist if the tree is young or valuable, tents are high in a tree you cannot reach safely, or the same tree has been stripped for several years in a row.
Not sure who to call? Read how to hire a tree service or check is my tree dangerous?
Trees it affects
Usually seen on: Wild cherry, Crabapple and apple, Plum and other fruit trees, Other members of the rose family.
See all species in our tree library, or pick a tougher tree with the tree picker.
For tree companies
How to explain eastern tent caterpillar to a customer
Customers see a spring tent and fear the worst. Explain honestly that most healthy trees leaf out again, offer to prune out low tents or treat a young tree, and give a clear winter egg-band check for next year. Clear, calm advice is better than a hard sell.
Send this page to the customer after your visit so they can read the signs in plain words. See also selling plant health care and the job photo checklist.
Questions
What are the silky tents in my tree in spring?
They are most likely eastern tent caterpillar nests, built in the forks of branches. The caterpillars come out to feed and return to the tent.
Will tent caterpillars kill my tree?
Healthy trees usually grow a new set of leaves. Repeated loss of leaves on a young or weak tree can add stress.
When should I remove the tents?
Early in spring while tents are small. Do it in the early morning or evening when the caterpillars are home.
Should I burn the tent?
No. Burning is a fire risk and can hurt the tree. Prune it out or pull it down and bag it.
Why are the caterpillars crossing my driveway?
When they finish feeding, they wander to find a place to make a cocoon. This is normal and brief.
Can I stop them next year?
You can scrape or prune off the egg bands in winter and remove wild cherry near your yard. That reduces the numbers, but it may not stop them.
Can Lirevon diagnose eastern tent caterpillar on my tree?
No. Lirevon is a remote marketing team for tree service companies and does not do tree work. This page is general information, not a diagnosis. A certified arborist or your county extension office can confirm what is wrong with your tree.
How do I find a good local pro for this?
Search Google Maps for certified arborists or tree services near you, read their reviews and ask for proof of insurance. Get two or three written quotes. Our guide on how to hire a tree service lists the questions to ask.
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