The information in this publication will aid you to differentiate the gypsy moth caterpillar from others. They are marked with a light stripe down the back, bordered on each side with yellowish-brown and black wavy lines. The sides are marked with blue and black spots. They have soft tan hairs that do not grow from knob-like tubercles as do the hairs of gypsy moth caterpillars. They make tents or webbing in the crotches of fruit trees, especially wild cherry, apple, and crab apple in early April.
Caterpillars rest inside the tents during the night and depart to feed on leaves during the day.
They are smooth and hairless. Mature larvae will reach a length of about 1 inch. Caterpillars hang by silken threads throughout the caterpillar stage, whereas the gypsy moth does so only in the early caterpillar stage. There are several species that feed on walnut, linden, apple, hickory, and oak. They are commonly seen in late May, June, and July.