Eastern Tent Caterpillar

Natural Habitat

Found in deciduous forests, parks, and gardens throughout North America, particularly near host trees like cherry, apple, and crabapple.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on the foliage of host trees, primarily members of the Rosaceae family such as wild cherry and apple trees.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are social insects that build communal silk nests in the crotches of tree branches. They emerge to feed several times a day and return to the tent for protection. They pupate in cocoons on the ground or tree trunks.

Risks & Benefits

They are considered a nuisance and can defoliate trees, though healthy trees usually survive. Their hairs can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. They serve as a food source for birds and other wildlife.

Identified on: 6/8/2026