Yard Critter - Fall Webworm Caterpillar

Continuing Caterpillar Week into its second week, we have Hyphantria cunea.

Quite distinctive in its later instars.

With hairs that can be problematic for some people. My general rule of thumb is that if a caterpillar has hairs I don't touch it.

In earlier instars they are defoliators, munching en masse inside a protective web. Curiously, I do not seem to have any images of this stage (curious because I take pictures of everything).

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I'm not sure that these are the same species. As they are very small and many caterpillars look similar at this size.

But webworms have been munching away on our elderberry bush.

And they did make a web. And they are on the elderberry bush.

Webworm Caterpillars like elderberry leaves.
These are caterpillars.
They are on an elderberry leaf.
They made a 'web'.
It is summer.

So by logical reasoning ... they are Summer Webworm Caterpillars.

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You can find all of the Yard Critter posts listed here.