EWWWW! WHAT ARE THESE?
I found myself underneath this a couple of hours ago. Are they friend or foe? Should I let them live or whack 'em? (yes, I've been watching reruns of the Sopranos lately)
posted by Karen at
1:12 PM
5 Comments:
Probably Malacosoma americanum, eastern tent caterpillar moth. They can do some damage to tree leaves (and be gross), but usually not severe amounts of damage ...
kill 'em?
I can't see the picture!!
They can weaken a tree, but are unlikely to kill an established one, unless there are repeated, successive infestations. A young tree they can strip all the leaves from and kill it. They're native to the region and a food source for raccoons, foxes and a number of birds, bats and reptiles. So maybe watch them and don't kill unless they're spreading crazy or it's a weak/young tree or you just want to get rid of them.
http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/eastern_tent_caterpillar_m.htm
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7111.html
hmm...now I have a conundrum
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