Tent Caterpillar

About the Tent Caterpillar

They build distinctive silk tents in trees that can be visible from kilometers away. A single tent can house 300 caterpillars. They defoliate entire trees but rarely kill them. They are among the most social caterpillars, cooperating to build and maintain the tent. They follow silk trails to feeding sites. Outbreaks occur every 8-10 years. Some species are called webworms. They are an important food source for birds. Over 26 species. The forest tent caterpillar is the most widespread in North America. Their frass (droppings) rain down from infested trees.