Fall Webworm Moth

Natural Habitat

Deciduous forests, orchards, and urban gardens across North America and Mexico.

Diet & Feeding

Adult moths do not feed; caterpillars are generalist herbivores, eating leaves from over 600 species of trees.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and highly attracted to lights. Caterpillars build large silk tents on the ends of tree branches for protection while feeding.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans. While caterpillars can cause aesthetic damage to trees and are considered a minor pest in orchards, they serve as a vital food source for birds and predatory insects.

Identified on: 4/5/2026