by Jay F. Brunner and Rich Zack, originally published 1993
Hyphantria cunea Drury (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)
The fall webworm is native to North America and is found throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. It inflicts the most damage on shade trees, but can cause problems in apple and pear orchards. Its larvae spin large webs in the trees, which may enclose entire branches. The larvae are primarily leaf feeders, but if fruit is enclosed in the webs they will feed on it. These webs are formed in August, whereas those of the tent caterpillar appear in the spring.
Hosts
The fall webworm feeds on almost all fruit, forest and shade trees, except conifers.
Life stages
Egg
The egg is round, about 1/50 inch (0.5 mm) in diameter. It is pale green or yellow. Eggs are laid in masses on both sides of leaves and are partly covered with white hairs from the female’s body.
Larva
The mature caterpillar is yellowish or tawny, with a dark stripe down the back and rows of distinctive black and orange-yellow tubercles on each side. The body is covered by long, fine, light colored hairs. When fully grown it is about 1 inch (25 mm) long.
Pupa
The reddish brown pupa is about 1/2 inch (12 mm) long.
Adult
The adult moth is satiny white, with long, soft hair, and may have brown or black spots on the wings. It measures 1 to 1-1/4 inches (25 to 30 mm) across with the wings expanded.
 |
| Catapillar |
 |
| Beautiful Moth |
 |
| Looks like spider webs But this is a web made by the caterpillar |
No comments:
Post a Comment