Habitat
Adults: terrestrial
Immatures: terrestrial

Feeding Habits
Adults: non-feeding
Immatures: phytophagous

North American
Species: 35

Lepidoptera Lasiocampidae
Tent caterpillars and lappet moths

Special Characteristics: These moths are of medium size, hairy and stout bodied. Most are gray or brown in colour. The antennae are feathery and more pectinate in the males than the females. The larvae are hairy, very colourful and longitudinally striped.

Comments: The larvae feed on the foliage of trees, but the adults do not have a proboscis and do not feed. Some species are very destructive to trees.

Species:
Malacosoma americanum (Fabricius)

Common Name:
Eastern tent caterpillar.

Feeding Habits: The larvae feed on a range of trees, especially cherry trees.

Distribution:
Ontario to Newfoundland.

Comments:
The caterpillars reach about 65 mm when fully grown. They are black and hairy and have a yellow stripe along the back. The larvae build communal silk nests that look like tents on the tree branches.