Here is a picture of some Eastern Tent Caterpillars in their tent nested in a cherry tree. Most of the time, the Eastern Tent Caterpillars are confused for Gypsy Caterpillars. Gypsy Caterpillars are known to defoliate entire trees and destroy large percentages of forests. Furthermore, Gypsy Moths usually consume our beloved fabrics and hence moth balls were invented. Despite the fact the Eastern Tent Caterpillars are not Gypsy Caterpillars, they still are bothersome pests because like all caterpillars, eat leaves. Thus by having a mass of Eastern Tent Caterpillars on a cherry tree, the cherry tree will probably be completely defoliated unless someone deals with the caterpillars. The easiest way to deal with these pests is to get a long stick, poor some gas on the end of the stick, light the stick, and light the nest. There are probably some pesticides that would do the trick but that would require you to go out to the store to buy some. Furthermore, most of the caterpillars fall off the tree before dying and just climb their way back up. So if you use pesticides, make sure to by plenty of it and try not to breathe it in yourself. Using fire is not that safe either, because you can always burn the tree or get your lawn caught on fire. Regardless of what strategy you use to take these suckers out, the main purpose of this picture is to point out that these are caterpillars need to be exterminated even though they are not much of a hazard as the Gypsy Caterpillars. (This picture is not art, just a picture telling to be warned about the defoliating menace. The picture was taken in Chestnut Hill's park)
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