Caterpillar 8s-7172

[Guilleuma Deeken]

Thereare four species of tent caterpillar that call Colorado home including the eastern tent caterpillar, the western tent caterpillar, the fall webworm, and the sonoran tent caterpillar. During wintertime, masses of tent caterpillar eggs are laid in trees.

"The caterpillars become full grown in late spring. Most wander from the area of the tent and spin a white cocoon of silk, within which they pupate. The adult moths, which are light brown with faint light wavy bands on the wings emerge about two weeks later.," according to a report from Colorado State University (CSU).

Tent worm populations are generally controlled by their natural predators, like birds, but insecticides are sometimes used as well. According to CSU, interference from humans is only necessary when there is "high levels of defoliation over several years."

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