Eastern Tent Caterpillar

Natural Habitat

Found in deciduous forests, parklands, and suburban areas throughout North America, specifically near host trees like cherry, apple, and crabapple.

Diet & Feeding

The larvae feed on the leaves of various trees, with a strong preference for members of the rose family (Rosaceae), particularly wild black cherry and apple.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are social and build large, silk 'tents' in the crotches of tree branches for protection. They leave the tent to feed several times a day and follow silk trails back to their shelter. They pupate in cocoons in early summer and emerge as moths.

Risks & Benefits

They are primarily considered a nuisance and can defoliate host trees, though healthy trees usually survive. The hairs of the caterpillar can cause skin irritation in some people. In the ecosystem, they serve as a food source for birds and other predators.

Identified on: 5/26/2026