Tent Caterpillars and Lappet Moths

Family Lasiocampidae

Eastern tent caterpillar (Malacosoma americanum). Photo:Stephanie Boucher

The larvae feed on the foliage of trees, but the adults do not have a proboscis and do not feed. Some species are very destructive to trees. These moths are of medium size, hairy and stout bodied. Most are gray or brown in colour. The antennae are feathery and more pectinate in the males than the females. The larvae are hairy, very colourful and longitudinally striped.