What are the large spider-like webs I see in the trees?

Question

I live in Southeast Michigan and when Im driving down Hines Drive, I see very large spider-like webs (anywhere from 1-3 feet long and tunnel-like) at the ends of tree branches. What are they? And what the heck kind of spider lives in there?

Answer 1

Those are called "web worms". They are the larva from a moth which spends the winter in the ground around the drip line of the tree. In the spring (or late summer, sometimes both), the worms (greenish/grayish about 1 inch long) climb the tree and spin webs. Inside the web, they feed on the leaves and become moths.

They prefer certain types of trees and avoid others. Favorite types of trees include most nut trees (especially pecan). Rarely seen in maple or oak.

They will not kill the trees, but can quickly denude them. Best advice is to cut of the end of the branch and toss it into a fire or plastic trash bag. The web is very protective and makes it very difficult to spray the worms. DO NOT try to burn the webs while they are in the trees -- the flaming webs fall and float to create more unintentional fires.

The worms can often be seen dangling from a single string.

Spray the ground around the tree to avoid infestation next year.

Answer 2

The solutions already given have lined distinctive the techniques spiders use to construct webs. yet one neat characteristic became into no longer lined. some spiders migrate making use of their webs. They build a small (massive to them) sac like shape out of their information superhighway while they are on the top of a bush or tree(or guy made shape) and while the air currents are suited, they launch it dragging them with it like we'd in a balloon. there are particular factors the place you may fairly see them migrating on their webs. I observed this as quickly as interior the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Answer 3

Not a perfect... is correct. Those are known as web worms. Since you are seeing them now, they are likely to be fall web worms. The most damage occurs in the latter months of summer. The damage is feeding on foliage. A bacterial insecticide spray of Bt or Bacillus thuringiensis can be used.

Answer 4

I bet there bag worms. Bag worm homes look like big ol webs in trees.

Answer 5

Sounds like caterpillar nests; I get them all the time on my pecan and plum trees. I like waiting for the caterpillars to come out, then I'll collect as many as I can, put them in a bucket with lots of leaves, and wait for them to turn to moths/butterflies and watch them fly out. =)

Answer 6

Sometimes they are from silkworms, or other caterpillars. Also, mites are known to make web-like structures.

Answer 7

Silk worms?

Answer 8

they are bag worms . People need to spray their trees.

Answer 9

Are they gypsy moth nests?