Tent Caterpillars Guide

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Tent caterpillars are a type of moth in the in the Malacosoma genus and Lasiocampidae family of species. Twenty-six different tent-caterpillar species have been found and identified in North America, Mexico, and Eurasia. Six types of tent caterpillar species have been found in North America. Tent caterpillars are for the most part, harmless, however certain species of tent caterpillars can devastate and defoliate trees which can be frustrating to homeowners.

Tent caterpillars can be easily recognized because they are colorful, tend to group together and build noticeable silk tents in trees and around tree branches. The eastern tent caterpillar, Malacosoma americanum, build large silk tent which are occupied through entire larval stage. Others tent caterpillars build a multiple silk tents which are only used temporarily before moving onto another. The forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria, spin silk mats rather than build tents.