Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00001760
11/12/99
Cankerworm
The cankerworms (Vis. 1) are the inch worms that hump up as
they crawl.
Eggs (Vis. 2) hatch in the spring and the larvae suspend
themselves from silk strands. This allows them to be blown
to other trees. The larvae eat leaves down to the midrib
and feed for up to five weeks. After feeding they go into
the soil to pupate. The female moths have no wings so must
climb up the trunks of trees in order to lay eggs.
Depending on the type of canker worm eggs can be laid in
either spring or fall. The eggs are laid closely together
in rows on small twigs.
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This file was generated from data base ZZ on 01/19/00.
Data base ZZ was last revised on 11/12/99.
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