Homadaula anisocentra
Lepidoptera: Galacticidae
Identification
Caterpillar is up to 1" long and grayish to green with a black head.
(a)
Damage
The caterpillars web leaflets or leaves together and feed as a colony.
(b)
Caterpillars window-feed by feeding only on one leaf surface; one
surface is left intact and turns brown.
The first generation occurs in early summer and normally only damages
a few leaflets per colony.
Second generation eggs tend to be laid in old damage. The caterpillars
of this generation damage several compound leaves per colony in late summer.
Honey-locust and silk tree (Mimosa) are hosts.
Management
Spray with bacterial insecticide when webs appear.
Tolerate the damage. These webworms are unlikely to harm the trees
health.
Other Information
Numbers and damage are highest after mild winters or on trees near
heated buildings where the larvae winter under the siding.