Tent caterpillars

When we were out on an afternoon trip south of the city yesterday, we came across several masses of these Tent caterpillars on bushes. Really nicer to see from a good distance rather than close to!

"If you’ve ever witnessed a huge outbreak of tent caterpillars, then you are probably not overly fond of these insects. In some areas, cyclical outbreaks of these large caterpillars can defoliate everything in sight, and coat walls and roads. It’s just plain icky. It is however a natural process and healthy plants recover the loss of leaves readily. In Alberta, such outbreaks are relatively uncommon, and not of mythical proportions.

The moths are also fairly large, stout and hairy. The forewings are an even yellow, brown or grey with lines of colour across the wings. The wings are held rooflike over the body. The feathery antennae are held apart, framing the head. Adults do not feed, but are readily attracted to lights.

There are perhaps half a dozen species of these moths in Alberta, the best-known being the Forest Tent Caterpillar. Both the related tent-building Eastern and Western Tent Caterpillars might also be found." Information by Nora Bryan at www.weaselhead.org.