Q. In our backyard there is a cherry tree and it has a nest of worms in the fork of the limb. What are they and do they cause damage?
A. These worms are more than likely a larva of the Eastern Tent Caterpillar. They are most often found on plum and cherry trees. The moth of this caterpillar lays an egg mass of 100-200 eggs in the early fall. The eggs hatch in the spring as the temperatures warm. This caterpillar will eat the leaves of the tree they hatch on. Typically one nest will defoliate the limb they are located on and not much more. This is unsightly, but not very damaging to a healthy tree. The next cluster of leaves will grow out and within 7 - 8 weeks all signs of damage will be gone.
If you wish to control them, there are several choices. One easy way is hand removal and squashing them. If you don't want to go this route, an insecticide that goes by the name of Orthene 9.4 EC. The Orthene must be applied on the leaf areas near the nest and also directly into the nest. Read all label directions before using any pesticides.
Mark Blevins , Horticulture Agent
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