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Fall Webworms: Have You Seen Webs In Your Trees?
Fall Webworms: Have You Seen Webs In Your Trees?
During a recent trip to meet with our Franchise Owner in Springfield, MO, I got to witness an amazing amount of damage from Fall Webworms. This caterpillar is a gregarious feeder on the leaves of over 100 tree species, but it prefers mulberry, oak, hickory, walnut among many others.
As many people are familiar with the Eastern Tent Caterpillar that feeds on the leaves of crabapples and other fruit trees. Both of these, Fall Webworms and the Eastern Tent Caterpillars will create webs in trees.
The webs for Eastern Tent Caterpillars are created in the forks of branches whereas the Fall Webworms make their webs at the end of the branches. Also the Eastern Tent Caterpillars leave their nests to feed on leaves whereas the Fall Webworms remain within their webbing.
The Fall Webworm constructs ever-increasing webs or ”nests” that can contain several hundred caterpillars. Once they finish feeding on one branch, they move on to the next branch. The nests can become as large as two or three feet across. They will fill with dried leaves, cast skins and excrement. They will display a defensive movement where they all raise themselves at the same time in an effort to frighten off a predator, such as a bird.
Although the damage may look severe, rarely will feeding cause any major problem with the tree. By the time September rolls around, the tree has produced enough carbohydrates for the year. Plus, as the weeks go on, the leaves will start to drop with the onset of fall.
As the caterpillars reach maturity, they will move down the tree and find a protective place to pupate, usually under fallen leaves or other protected areas. The adults will emerge the next year and the female will lay her eggs on the underside of leaves. In late summer, the eggs will start to hatch and the whole process will start again.
As we drove around Springfield, we saw nests at the top of trees that were 60 feet high and we saw entire small trees covered with webs. Smaller trees can be treated with a number of insect control products, but many people choose not to worry about the nests. For the most part, the webs will be destroyed by normal wind, rain and snow. In some cases, the webs may remain until spring.
When asked by a customer what could be done to treat the tree, the Franchise’s Team Member suggested that the customer place a decorated pumpkin under the tree and call it her Halloween Tree. It does look like it is covered by spider webs and looks very creepy. The customer liked the idea and plans to make it a Halloween tree. Lemonade out of lemons.
For more information about tree care contact your local Spring-Green.