A reader recently wrote to us inquiring about the possible health threat that tent caterpillars (sometimes called “tent worms” because, well, caterpillars look like worms) may present to children. The reader is worried that a child’s habit of playing with tent caterpillars (or perhaps just a single tent caterpillar) is dangerous. In this article, we’ll cover the potential dangerous of tent caterpillars, first addressing the topic with regard to humans, and then with regard to animals and plants.

The first thing to consider when devising a prevention plan is to determine which type of tent worm (caterpillar) is on the way. There are three different types of tent worms including the forest tent caterpillar, the eastern tent caterpillar, and the gypsy moth caterpillar.

To learn exactly what type of worm is living in your cherry tree you will need to collect specific information on the appearance and behavior of the animal in question. Once you have this information, you can go online to find out the specific type of worm or visit your local library or bookstore to find books on worms

Bagworms, tentworms, and webworms feed on tree leaves and can create varying levels of damage. Evergreens and deciduous trees are all at risk from infestations by these unsightly worms.