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. These are the trees on which eggs are laid and webs are constructed. However, if preferred foliage becomes scarce, larvae will feed and complete development on leaves of a variety of broadleaf trees and shrubs. May. Females lay eggs in band-like masses on small twigs.
Embryos develop to first-stage larvae within about three weeks.
Larvae enter diapause and remain dormant within egg shells through summer, fall, and most of winter. Hatch usually occurs during late February and early March, corresponding to time of start of leaf development. Caterpillars construct webs and feed for about six weeks, with larval development being over in most years by the end of April. Adults emerge within about three weeks to begin a new cycle. There is only one brood each year.