Caterpillars of Eastern Forests

Forest Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria)

Body bluish with middorsal stripe broken into keyholelike spots. Thin subdorsal and lateral orange stripes. Setae fine, whitish at tips. Head bluish mottled with black. Although gregarious through fourth instar, this tent caterpillar does not fashion tent. Occasionally a pest. Food: aspens, gums, maples, oaks, and many other forest and orchard trees. Caterpillar: April to June; 1 generation.

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