About the Insect
The Eastern Tent Caterpillar is more a nuisance than a threat. While heavy infestations can cause serious defoliation, Eastern Tent Caterpillars rarely kill trees except those already weakened by disease or climate and environmental stresses. These caterpillars get their name from tent-like nests that they spin in the crotches of host trees. These are very neat and do not enclose foliage. They occur early in the spring.
