One of the most conspicuous signs of fall webworm activity is the presence of silken webs covering the tips of branches. These webs expand as the caterpillars grow and feed on foliage within the enclosure. Leaves within the webs are devoured, often leaving only the midribs behind. This can lead to a patchy, defoliated appearance in affected trees.
Fall webworms tend to be on the end of branches surrounded by leaves since they actually do not leave their web, like tent caterpillars do.