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- May 24, 2009
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I live in Birmingham, AL and I found this two days ago in a tree right outside my backdoor. Does anyone have a clue to what species might have made something like this?
We agree with Nicole and sn95's guess; we live in central Florida and see these web-like cocoons all over the place. I also think their work is quite unique and often strange. For example, check out this bicycle taken over by tent caterpillars in the Washington area, it's kinda creepy!Looks like the work of tent caterpillars to me
HahaWe agree with Nicole and sn95's guess; we live in central Florida and see these web-like cocoons all over the place. I also think their work is quite unique and often strange. For example, check out this bicycle taken over by tent caterpillars in the Washington area, it's kinda creepy!
http://neighborhoodofgod.blogspot.com/2006/08/tent-caterpillars-from-hell.html
+ 1 , not necessarily a spider that build that webtunnel.Looks like the work of tent caterpillars to me
As for a reason behind these “tent-like” structures, research explains that for the Fall webworm, the worms form their webs on the ends of branches to feed on foliage. The young worms eat upper leaf surfaces and as they grow, the worms eat everything except the thickest veins. For the Tent caterpillars, they are known as generalist feeders which is why they are often found around fields connecting to alternate hosts. The larvae feed in large groups on the foliage which often results in complete destruction of the leaves. If unattended, larvae can attack an entire small bush/shrub. It's insaaane what these little worms can do although their webs have been known to be more of a disturbance than art work to most people who find themselves dealing with them.Why do they do this in the first place?
Well thanks for that info.!! I hadn't even heard of these until now.:wall:After doing a little more online research, I am starting to think that this web-like cocoon was built by Fall webworms (Hyphantria cunea) whose “tents/webs” are often mistaken for a species of the Tent caterpillar. Fall webworms weave their webs on the ends of branches and are protected by the silken tent, the tent becomes enlarged as the webworms become larger in size. Also, Tent caterpillars build their “webs/tents” in the crotch of trees and usually don’t go much further than that point. :?
- Also, Tent caterpillars create tents from May to June and Fall webworms create tents from the middle of July to the middle of September.
As for a reason behind these “tent-like” structures, research explains that for the Fall webworm, the worms form their webs on the ends of branches to feed on foliage. The young worms eat upper leaf surfaces and as they grow, the worms eat everything except the thickest veins. For the Tent caterpillars, they are known as generalist feeders which is why they are often found around fields connecting to alternate hosts. The larvae feed in large groups on the foliage which often results in complete destruction of the leaves. If unattended, larvae can attack an entire small bush/shrub. It's insaaane what these little worms can do although their webs have been known to be more of a disturbance than art work to most people who find themselves dealing with them.
Source(s):
http://www.emmitsburg.net/gardens/articles/adams/2001/fall_webworms.htm
http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ipm/blue/tent_caterpillar.html
Well, to be honest.. I just researched them a few months ago because I was going crazy with curiousity, some of their tent webs are huge and soo weird looking. I just had to know what in the heck it was, LOL! :razz:Well thanks for that info.!! I hadn't even heard of these until now.:wall: