Eastern tent caterpillar has a white stripe down the back, while forest tent caterpillar has keyhole-shaped white spots. Defoliation is usually complete by mid-June. When damage is severe, only larger veins and leaf petioles remain. The chunky, chocolate brown moths have narrow white bands on their wings and are attracted to light. Winter is spent in masses of 100-300 eggs.
Hatching occurs in early spring, and the newly-emerged, gregarious larvae construct tents.
They leave the nest on warm sunny days to feed on nearby foliage. When full grown, larvae wander in search of pupation sites. Pupation takes place in silken, yellow-dusted cocoons on trees and other vegetation, and on fences, buildings, and other structures. Adults emerge in July. Reduced growth and branch damage may result from heavy or repeated defoliation.