TechNotes Tips - 04.12.01

Eastern tent caterpillar eggs are hatching in the Mid-Atlantic Region. This caterpillar is a serious pest on cherry, plum, pear and several deciduous trees. Hatching is usually timed with the leaf emergence on cherry. Upon hatching the caterpillar is small (3/8” in size) but will grow up to 2” in size. The caterpillars construct a web-like tent in the fork of the tree. The tent serves as shelter for the caterpillar. These tents are pretty large and are quite unsightly. Cultural control procedures include removing and destroying the egg cluster through pruning during the winter, and removing the nests from trees by hand. This pest problem occurs from Florida through New England. For more information on this caterpillar see; http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/easttentcat.html

With the pop in soil temperatures this past week, crabgrass germination is expected in the transition zone and in the Midwest.