Thursday, November 10, 2011

Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth (Malacosoma americanum - 7701)



Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth (Male)
(Malacosoma americanum - 7701)

Range: Eastern and central US to the Rockies and Canada from Nova Scotia to Alberta.

Food: Larvae feed on leaves of many trees and shrubs but particularly members of the rose family such as apple, cherry, and crabapple.

Life Cycle: In the fall, a female lays an eggs mass on a twig where it overwinters. The larvae hatch in the spring. They construct a tent of webbing in which the feed and grow. Eventually, the caterpillars will disburse and pupate. 



(Note:  Photo taken on 6/1/11)

Source: BugGuide

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5 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

So this is what makes the big messes in my apple tree. Great photo.

KaHolly said...

Looks kind of soft and fuzzy, and pretty innocent considering the damage it's larva can do!! I'm going to start calling you 'the moth man'! Happy Veterans' Day. Have a great weekend, karen

cindyzlogic said...

Gorgeous! Beautiful soft manes, wing design, and cool antennae!

Rambling Woods said...

I have no real luck getting photos of moths..so I will enjoy yours Marvin...

Rebecca said...

Looks much better as a single moth... Their tent full of a bunch of squirming caterpillars is not that pretty of a sight! Great photo :)