This document printed from the University
of Illinois Extension Garden Column at http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/williamson/
Eastern Tent Caterpillar
May 12, 2008
Ed Billingsley
County Extension Director, Williamson County and Interim County Extension Director, Jackson County
Williamson County Unit 1306 N Atchison Ave, Ste A
Marion, IL 62959
Phone: 618-993-3304
FAX: 618-997-1542 edb@illinois.edu
A defoliating pest, Eastern Tent Caterpillar overwinters in an egg mass attached to a small twig. The eggs hatch early as leaves begin to unfold. The caterpillars then feed on the foliage while contructing their web in a fork. As they grow their nest webs enlarge. The nest can easily be removed by hand using a long stick and discarded or burned to protect plant foliage.
