Fall webworm

Hyphantria cunea

The fall webworm, "Hyphantria cunea", is a moth in the family Arctiidae known principally for its larval stage, which creates the characteristic webbed nests on the tree limbs of a wide variety of hardwoods in the late summer and fall. It is mainly an aesthetic pest, and is not believed to harm otherwise healthy trees. It is well known to commercial tree services and arboriculturists.
Hairy Fall webworm caterpillar - Hyphantria cunea Animal,Animalia,Arctiidae,Art photography,Arthropoda,Caterpillar,Cityscape,Clouds,Fall webworm,Hyphantria cunea,Insect,Insecta,Larva,Lepidoptera,Light,Nature,Noctuidae,Sky,Summer,Sunset

Appearance

In the video game "Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty", the AI Colonel, while infected by a computer virus, mentions that he was a North American Fall Webworm in his past life, reminiscing about how "those were the good old days."
Fall Webworm Caterpillar - Hyphantria cunea Caterpillar with a black head, yellow body, and black, dorsal spots. Its body was covered with long, white setae arising from tubercles located along the sides. This species occurs throughout North America, although there are distinct physical differences between the northern and southern populations. Furthermore, the number of generations per year depends on latitude. The southern populations are multivoltine and may complete four generations per year, while northern populations are univoltine, completing only one life cycle per year. Habitat: On the edge of a disturbed woodland. Fall webworm,Geotagged,Hyphantria cunea,Summer,United States,caterpillar

Behavior

One generation per year emerges in the northern part of North America, with larvae appearing in late summer through early fall. South of an approximate latitude of 40°N there are two or more generations annually, with webs appearing progressively earlier further south.
Fall webworm caterpillar - Hyphantria cunea Animal,Animalia,Arctiidae,Art photography,Arthropoda,Caterpillar,Cityscape,Clouds,Fall webworm,Hyphantria cunea,Insect,Insecta,Larva,Lepidoptera,Light,Nature,Noctuidae,Sky,Summer,Sunset

Reproduction

The caterpillars are highly variable in coloration, ranging from a pale yellow, to dark grey, with yellow spots and long and short bristles. There are two cream stripes along the sides. The two races, one more common in the north, the other in the south, differ in head capsule coloration. The maximum length is 35 mm. Webs are progressively enlarged, and much messier looking than those of tent caterpillars also. Larvae feed inside the tents until the late instars. Very young larvae feed only on the upper surfaces of leaves. Later, they consume whole leaves. The larval stage lasts about four to six weeks.
Fall Webworm Caterpillar - Hyphantria cunea Caterpillar with a black head, yellow body, and black, dorsal spots. Its body was covered with long, white setae arising from tubercles located along the sides. This species occurs throughout North America, although there are distinct physical differences between the northern and southern populations. Furthermore, the number of generations per year depends on latitude. The southern populations are multivoltine and may complete four generations per year, while northern populations are univoltine, completing only one life cycle per year. Fall,Fall webworm,Geotagged,Hyphantria cunea,United States,c aterpillar,webworm

Food

The fall webworm feeds on just about any type of deciduous tree, where leaves are chewed; branches or the entire tree may become defoliated. Worldwide, it has been recorded from 636 species, and is considered to be among the most polyphagous of insects. In the eastern U.S., pecan, walnut, American elm, hickory, fruit trees, and some maples are preferred hosts; in some areas persimmon and sweetgum are also readily eaten. In the west, alder, willow, cottonwood and fruit trees are commonly used.

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionArthropoda
ClassInsecta
OrderLepidoptera
FamilyErebidae
GenusHyphantria
SpeciesH. cunea
Photographed in
Bulgaria
United States of America