Exploring the Ozarks Outdoors: freshare.net

Spooky White Webbing on Ozark’s Fall Trees

First posted on 09-21-2007

COLUMBIA, Mo. - One sign that summer is giving up the ghost is the appearance of spooky white webbing on the outer branches of your trees.

The webbing, which is generally quite harmless, is the work of the immature caterpillar stage of the fall webworm, said Mary Kroening, University of Missouri Extension horticulturalist.

Some of the webbing or tents can become quite large, loaded with hundreds of caterpillars.

“Fall webworm damage is unusually inconsequential. Trees are nearing their dormancy period and losing leaves at this time of year, so it is rare that any long lasting damage occurs,” she said.

“It is rare that a fall defoliating insect will actually kill a tree unless it is a newly planted tree or small tree that may be more tender,” she said.

Control is usually not necessary. Feeding will soon end as the insects prepare to hibernate for the winter by dropping to the ground.

Birds will often get into the webbing and feed on the caterpillars, reducing their numbers.

You can break up the webbing with a broom or hard water spray.

Favorite trees include hickory and walnut, but the insects will feed on more than 100 species of shade or ornamental trees. They do not feed on conifers.

“Enjoy the webbing - it can be quite beautiful in the early morning hours when the sun hits the webbing coated with the early morning dew,” she said.

More information on fall defoliating insects is available at http://extension.missouri.edu/xplor/agguides/pests/g07270.htm.

Source: Mary Kroening, 573-882-9633

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