Insects and Spiders - native

Western Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma californicum) on May 29, 2017

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Description of specimen

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Commentary

Gypsy moth caterpillars do not produce webbed tents and do not have white patterns on their bodies. This is western tent caterpillar, a native insect that periodically defoliates various broadleaf trees and shrubs. These will often re-flush new leaves (the same year or the next) after a defoliation event.

Christine Buhl
May 29, 2017, 12:09 p.m.