Malacosoma californica “Western Tent Caterpillar” Lasiocampidae
Great Burn, Lolo National Forest, MT
July 10, 2015
Robert Niese
Tent caterpillars are really fascinating critters! In some years, populations of tent caterpillars explode and entire forests can be defoliated by these voracious animals. Fortunately, this extensive herbivory does will not kill most trees, although some eastern forests have experienced large-scale tree deaths when tent caterpillar outbreaks coincided with drought. This year, tent caterpillars have been in relatively low numbers. Learn more about these awesome moths here!
Happy National Moth Week!
Northwest Naturalist 