FireBrand (08-20-2019)
My brother and I have been fishing the many small lakes around the area the past month. On the way out of the launch area of Lancaster Lake the other night, he slowed the truck and said “look at that”. Hanging from a tree branch is the remnant of a summer tent worm (gypsy moth) nest with a dead squirrel stuck in it. Strange sight.
Caterpillars weave the web-like nests similar to what spiders do but are quite thick and durable. Eggs are laid in that nest that will eventually hatch out and eat, strip all leaves from trees. I may have skipped a step in their life cycle but that is the gist. What we saw was apparently a hungry squirrel that had tried to crawl in to eat the worms. Squirrel ended up stuck in the web like a net and could not climb out. We are returning to that lake this week and will see if we can remove the nest with a rake or something. I want a closer look.
Cardinal TT (08-27-2019)
FireBrand (08-27-2019)
Tent caterpillars. These are social caterpillars (larvae) and the leaves they eat are primarily from cherry or apple trees, or that order of family. Grouping together in the webbed tent, the caterpillars can easily deflect predators with movement together, which may look like the entire nest is writhing or wriggling. After maturing the caterpillars disperse, spin a cocoon, and then hatch into small moths. Smaller moths typically have about a two week lifespan.
It's not all bad for the tree. Leaves actually regenerate. I've seen this on my own property. Lots of deer pass through my acre, and they will eat my unprotected serviceberry bushes. But, leaves grow back until late in the season. God's created order is just magnificent!
Cardinal TT (08-28-2019)