tent caterpillars

One of two species of cuckoos in North America, the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, pictured here, lives in broadleaf forests throughout the East and riparian stands in the Southwest. They were common breeding birds in the Pacific Northwest as late as the 1920s, but then they disappeared. The Black-billed Cuckoo is a more northerly species that lives in dense woodland, even conifer forests. Cuckoos perch quietly and scan their surroundings for food. Hairy tent caterpillars, shunned by most birds, are often on their meal ticket. 

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Have you noticed what looks like cotton candy decorating trees? I thought they were Eastern Tent Caterpillars, also called Tent Worms, we see in spring. But the white webs are Fall Webworms –Tent Worms' close cousins.

Think of them as Diehard Campers with a nifty lifecycle instead of a threat. Besides, the native insects are a food source for our beautiful birds, adorable toads, and beneficial insects. 

It's true, though; they can be rather icky when they fall on your plate at a barbeque. And so, we chat about safe ways to remedy them if need be.

We wrap up the episode with a hilarious story of brother Rick's rose dilemma once caused by Tent Capterpilars until a Scarlet & Green Leafhopper hopped in. 

 Link to Related Stories:

Fall Webworm vs. Eastern Tent Caterpillars 

Rose is a Rose Pest Remedies

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Kind listeners, I'd love to hear about your garden and nature stories. And your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. Please email me at AskMaryStone@gmail.com. 

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Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer

Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com 

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Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
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