Eastern Tent Caterpillar Cocoon (Malacosoma americana)

A white to cream colored silken cocoon structure attached by several threads/hairs.

On a split/rotting log at a dense mixed forest edge. It looked like something was inside (pupating), but I didn't want to disturb it!

comments (4)

Christine Young

Lion

It's weird that the cocoon would be open on the end if the pupa was still inside. Perhaps it was parasitized or maybe the adult had already emerged and someone else was living in there. Posted 4 years ago
1. Flown Kimmerling
  
  Lion
  
  I was wondering that too....you may be right.... Posted 4 years ago
2. Flown Kimmerling
  
  Lion
  
  Should I remove the ID then? Posted 4 years ago
3. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    Hmm, tough call. I'm not sure. Have you shared this observation anywhere else? It would be awesome to get some insight. The cocoon looks like it was opened from the inside because of the way the opening splays out, right? So, I would think either the moth emerged or a parasitoid did. And, maybe some other critter is now living inside? I guess you could remove the ID if you are not sure there is a moth larva/pupa still inside? Posted 4 years ago

The Eastern tent caterpillar

The eastern tent caterpillar is a species of moth in the family Lasiocampidae, the tent caterpillars or lappet moths. It is univoltine, producing one generation per year. It is a tent caterpillar, a social species that forms communal nests in the branches of trees.

Info 22 0

Similar species: Moths And Butterflies

Species identified by Flown Kimmerling