Uglynest Caterpillar – Archips cerasivorana

Uglynest Caterpillar – Archips Cerasivorana Common Name: Ugly nest caterpillar or Uglynest caterpillar Scientific Name: Archips Cerasivorana Distribution: The Archips Cerasivorana are native to North America and may be found in large areas of the northern United States and the Canadian border provinces. Their southern boundary is around 40 degrees north latitude. Host plants: Choke cherry, hawthorn, rose, wild black cherry, and other hardwoods Identification: Adults are only noticeable on the costa and are bright to light ocherous orange in color, with transverse lines of dark rose rust that are broken. The caterpillar larvae have glossy black heads and a pale or dark yellow-green color. When fully developed, larvae can grow to a length of 20 mm, at which time they pupate within their nest. They spin a lot of silk and are most noticeable for the thick webs they weave around their feeding grounds. Life Cycle: Every year, there is just one generation. Usually close to the ground, females deposit masses of 25–200 eggs at the base of shoots. Chokecherry is mostly preferred by women. In May, first-instar larvae emerge from overwintering eggs. The season for adults is early July to mid-September. The larvae are sociable, in contrast to many other tortricids, and they feed in silken nests on the terminals of their host plants. The host’s terminal shoots are encircled by the webs, which occasionally cover whole plants. Pupation takes place within the shelter’s individual cells. Adults spend the day sleeping on foliage and are not very active. Adults are known to be drawn to lights at night. A normal nest may have a diameter of up to 30 inches and house between 30 and 200 larvae. When the colony requires more food, the nest is extended, and feeding always takes place inside the nest’s protective cover. While later stages eat complete leaves, early stages skeletonize the leaves. Pupation takes place in chambers made of silk and frass inside the nest. The pupae will push their way to the outside of the silk nest, where the adult moth encloses, before exiting. Damage: The only stage that can be harmful is the larval one. The ugly nest caterpillar is a kind of webworm that uses its webbing to tie leaves and branches together in order to construct a nest with other ugly nest caterpillars. Larvae build larger nests as necessary and eat together. There are pieces of leaf and excrement in the nest. Nothing irreversible has been done. But the nests detract from the tree’s visual appeal. Management: One way to lessen harm is to physically shatter the nest while the insects are still inside. It also works well to prune off freshly emerging nests in late summer or early spring. Insecticides are typically unnecessary because the majority of actual plant harm is cosmetic. Nonetheless, a lot of insecticides—both synthetic and organic—work well if they get into the caterpillars’ web and through the webbing.