Photo: Eastern Tent Caterpillar, Judy Gallagher
During the pandemic we’ve had to cancel our regular wildlife surveys but some long-time participants are going out individually on an ad hoc basis to continue collecting data. Judy Gallagher is one of those folks who also captures photos of what she sees, in particular the less common species. Here are two observations from her most recent survey.
Eastern Tent Caterpillars produce silk from glands in their heads to build their webbed home on Black Cherry and other trees. As a caterpillar leaves the nest to feed each day, it secretes a silken thread to ensure that it can find its way back to the nest once it is done feeding. The caterpillar tents are strong enough to withstand harsh weather events, yet they biodegrade once the caterpillars have left to pupate. It is unlikely that a tent caterpillar infestation will kill a healthy tree or shrub, and Eastern Tent Caterpillars are an important food source for over 60 species of birds, especially cuckoos. So please leave their unsightly webs alone, and rejoice in the knowledge that the birds are eating well.
Eastern Tent Caterpillar, Judy Gallagher
Brood X Seventeen Year Cicadas have finally emerged in our area. Seventeen Year Cicada nymphs live underground for 17 years, feeding on juices from tree roots. They emerge when soil temperatures reach 64 degrees F., climb up trees or other vegetation to molt one final time and become an adult. Adults only live 4 to 6 weeks, long enough to mate. These insects are only about 2 inches long, but the male's song is between 80 and 100 decibels, similar in intensity to a power lawnmower. After mating, female cicadas drill holes into tree branches and lay their eggs. When the eggs hatch, the nymphs fall off the trees and burrow underground to start the 17-year cycle once again. Seventeen Year Cicadas have red eyes, which is how you can tell them apart from various species of annual Cicadas also found in our area.
17-Year Cicada, Judy Gallagher