Malacosoma americanum

Identifying Features

Eastern tent caterpillar moths have a 2" wingspan. They are a brown-white color as an adult moth. When they are caterpillars they are hairy and black with white stripes.

Habitat & Range

These moths live near fruit trees in Eastern and central North America.

Behavior

The Eastern tent caterpillar creates nests in forks of branches in the spring and eat the leaves of fruit trees. While fruit trees are prefered, they will also eat and nest in other broadleaf trees and shrubs.

Life Cycle

They create their nests in spring and summer. Once adults, they only live about 5 days.

Featured image by James Dake