i live in upstate NY, and today i saw a whole colony of brown-and-blue caterpillars near one big tree. they were coming down from the tree on silk strands, and as soon as they landed they started walking back toward the tree and up the trunk. why did they com down from the tree in the first place? and were they going up the tree just to find more food or to make their cocoons?
2007-05-31 10:46:09 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Well, here's a question for you: Did they already have silk nests in the tree or look like they were working on one (the nests look like big balls of white yarn or silk in between leaves)? If so, it's probably exactly what you think; or they could have been defending "their" tree..... a million different possibilities. I really need to know more about their surroundings, their progress with their own nests, what other bugs were around if any... etc. It's a vague answer, I know, but the possibilities are endless! Sorry!
2007-05-31 10:51:27 · answer #1 · answered by Impavidsoul 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like tent caterpillars. They are very destructive to fruit and nut trees. They have already eaten all the leaves off the tree and are leaving for another tree or are going to work on the other parts of the tree. If the property is yours, call your local conservationists or garden club members and they can suggest ways to eradicate them. My sister-in-law in Pa. has had lots of trouble with them.
If you rent the home, contact the landlord.
2007-06-06 21:03:23 · answer #2 · answered by kriend 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OMG!!! You've just given me the big shivers!! I have a phobia of caterpillars - sorry just had to say!
2007-06-07 02:40:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like tent worms building a tent. they eat the foliage of the tree
2007-05-31 11:38:11 · answer #4 · answered by Sulfol1 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Uh, end of spring, they were turning into cocoons
2007-06-07 17:40:30 · answer #5 · answered by Scott W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋