Caterpillers - Birch Trees

songkrai · 06-29-2013, 02:11 PM

Caterpillers - Birch Trees.
The ones that make those cob webs on tree branches.
Here, mostly seen on birch trees but do habitat other leaf trees.

Happened to be in yard in mid-June and viewed bunches of these caterpillers on trunks of all of my birch trees. I sprayed them with home chemicals. But each day there are more.

Appology to those who are favorable to these insects for whatever reason.

Does anyone know how to prevent these caterpillers?
Early in season so they don't make all of those nasty looking webs in the tree tops/branches later in summer?

Coolbreeze · 06-29-2013, 10:05 PM

These are called fall web worms. These worms are unsightly but rarely will kill your tree. Spraying the webbing and worms will kill them. Systemic insecticides like merit won't work too well. The best way to control them is to know when they hatching and treat them as they emerge.

The Watcher · 06-30-2013, 01:14 PM

More likely these are gypsy moth caterpillars. We are overdue for an infestation.

songkrai · 07-01-2013, 06:43 AM

I think these are called Tent Catepillers. Every year.

gravy boat · 07-01-2013, 12:13 PM

We have had something consuming the leaves on our oaks and maples adjacent to the deck....it's subsided this weekend, but for the last few weeks I could hear them crunching away...kind of creepy at night when walking the dogs.....yuck!
I have seen large, fuzzy black catepillars around, so I assume it's them. But they've limited themselves to 4 trees, thank goodness....

06-29-2013, 02:11 PM	#1
songkrai Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 725 Thanks: 35 Thanked 145 Times in 98 Posts	Caterpillers - Birch Trees Caterpillers - Birch Trees. The ones that make those cob webs on tree branches. Here, mostly seen on birch trees but do habitat other leaf trees. Happened to be in yard in mid-June and viewed bunches of these caterpillers on trunks of all of my birch trees. I sprayed them with home chemicals. But each day there are more. Appology to those who are favorable to these insects for whatever reason. Does anyone know how to prevent these caterpillers? Early in season so they don't make all of those nasty looking webs in the tree tops/branches later in summer?

06-29-2013, 10:05 PM	#2
Coolbreeze Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 332 Thanks: 0 Thanked 51 Times in 26 Posts	fall webworm These are called fall web worms. These worms are unsightly but rarely will kill your tree. Spraying the webbing and worms will kill them. Systemic insecticides like merit won't work too well. The best way to control them is to know when they hatching and treat them as they emerge.

07-01-2013, 12:13 PM	#5
gravy boat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Gilford year round, West Alton summers Posts: 580 Thanks: 579 Thanked 193 Times in 98 Posts	Catepillars We have had something consuming the leaves on our oaks and maples adjacent to the deck....it's subsided this weekend, but for the last few weeks I could hear them crunching away...kind of creepy at night when walking the dogs.....yuck! I have seen large, fuzzy black catepillars around, so I assume it's them. But they've limited themselves to 4 trees, thank goodness....

06-30-2013, 01:14 PM	#3
The Watcher Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 14 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	More likely these are gypsy moth caterpillars. We are overdue for an infestation.

07-01-2013, 06:43 AM	#4
songkrai Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 725 Thanks: 35 Thanked 145 Times in 98 Posts	I think these are called Tent Catepillers. Every year.