webworms
Silk-spinning caterpillars
Webworms are caterpillars that spin protective silk webs on trees and shrubs, often enclosing entire branches while feeding on foliage.
The fall webworm and sod webworm are common pests in North America: The webworms have taken over the pecan tree again.
Despite looking alarming, they rarely cause lasting damage to healthy trees.
Immature feeding stage
- mothNight-flying lepidopteran
- cocoonSilk wrapping for transformation
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- pupaInsect's resting stage
instar · molt · grub · mandibles · prolegs · setae · spiracles · segmented
Loss of foliage
- skeletonizingReducing to structural remains
- browningFood darkening when cooked
- diebackPlant tissue dying progressively
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
Fine woven insect fiber
- spinningRevolving around an axis
- tentPortable fabric shelter
- nestAnimal-built shelter for young
- enclosureConfined, bordered space
communal · shroud · mesh · gossamer · filament · protective · shelter · colony
Edible hickory seed
- walnutEdible hard-shelled seed
- hickoryDense North American hardwood
- persimmonEbony family fruit
- mulberryMorus tree fruit
cherry · crabapple · ash · elm · willow · cottonwood · fruit trees · shade trees
Sudden eruption of trouble
- plagueDeadly epidemic disease
- invasionForcible entry into territory
- spreadTo distribute widely
- proliferationRapid increase in quantity
population boom · irruption · seasonal · cyclical · overrun · surge · explosion · peak
Toxic agent targeting pests
- pesticideAgent destroying harmful organisms
- pruningCutting vegetation for health
- removalAct of taking away
- biological controlPest suppression via natural enemies
parasitic wasps · predators · birds · spraying · treatment · prevention · monitoring · natural enemies
larva
Immature feeding stage
- mothNight-flying lepidopteran
- cocoonSilk wrapping for transformation
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
pupa · instar · molt · grub · mandibles · prolegs · setae · spiracles · segmented · herbivore
defoliation
Loss of foliage
- skeletonizingReducing to structural remains
- browningFood darkening when cooked
- diebackPlant tissue dying progressively
silk
Fine woven insect fiber
enclosure · communal · shroud · mesh · gossamer · filament · protective · shelter · colony · cluster
pecan
Edible hickory seed
mulberry · cherry · crabapple · ash · elm · willow · cottonwood · fruit trees · shade trees · deciduous
outbreak
Sudden eruption of trouble
proliferation · population boom · irruption · seasonal · cyclical · overrun · surge · explosion · peak · dispersal
insecticide
Toxic agent targeting pests
- pesticideAgent destroying harmful organisms
- pruningCutting vegetation for health
- removalAct of taking away
biological control · parasitic wasps · predators · birds · spraying · treatment · prevention · monitoring · natural enemies · timing
- Lepidopterabutterflies, moths, monarch, cocoons, chrysalis
- tree pestsmountain pine beetle, beetles, gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, borers
- conifer pestsbark beetles, budworms, mountain pine beetle, pine beetle, bark beetle
- orchard pestsaphids, apple maggot, borers, mites, scale insects
webwormscutworms
Stem-severing moth larvae
hornworms · inchworms · loopers · leafminers · borers
webwormsbeneficial insects
Arthropods aiding agriculture
predatory insects · parasitic wasps · ladybugs · lacewings · pollinators