However, in each of seven of the ten years, larval emergence occurred during the last week of February of first two days of March. Tents are enlarged as caterpillars grow. This type of tent is characteristic of the eastern tent caterpillar, and distinguishes it from some other common webmakers, for example, fall webworm and poplar tentmaker, which construct webs in or around tree foliage. Full -grown caterpillars leave tents and foliage of host trees and scatter in search of suitable sites to spin cocoons and pupate. Cocoons and pupae are usually found in protected places such as under logs, rocks, debris on the ground, in crevices of bark of trees, and sometimes under the eaves and in cracks of buildings.
Cocoons commonly contain fine yellow or yellowish-white powder.
This powder is reported to possibly cause itching or a similar reaction among individuals with sensitive skin. Embryos develop to fully formed first-stage larvae within about three weeks. There is only one generation each year. Summary The eastern tent caterpillar is common throughout Alabama. It is a leaf feeder, and its hosts are wild cherry, apple, crabapple, plum, hawthorn, peach, and sometimes pear.