Identifying the Injury. The larvae construct a white web or tent in the crotch of a small branch. They consume the entire leaf, except the midrib. Typical tent on cherry. Overwintering eggs hatch about the time black cherry buds open in the spring.
Young larvae begin to construct a tent and enlarge the structure as they grow.
Full-grown larvae construct tough, silken cocoons. Moths emerge in early summer and lay eggs in shiny, dark brown masses around small twigs or branches of host trees. Defoliated trees usually refoliate after being attacked. Chemicals can be used to protect fruit trees, or tents containing the caterpillars may be picked off and destroyed.