Large caterpillar nest near our house

We found this in a tree near our house. There are about 6 nests in the one tree, but we have found them nowhere else. I suspect that this tree is a particular delicacy for the caterpillars. They are certainly crawling all over it and munching their way through the leaves. It looks very weird, and I have seen nothing like it before. We think that it is a nest, and that it has been caused by a certain species of butterfly. But it really is quite large, the caterpillars are over 5cm long just to give you a sense of scale. Can anybody tell me what it is, we would love to know?

Wow! Whatever it is, keep us informed.

If the Caterpillars are that big I'm really curious to see what they turn into.

Could be Alpen Apollo. Wingspan of between 50-60cm and caterpillars of about 5cm.

Doesn't bode well for the tree though

I think I have seen something like this before, of course can't remember where or when...

Yeah, we found a tree in the English Gardens that is absolutely covered in those nests full of wriggly caterpillars, maybe 40 or 50 nests. Interesting, but definitely gives you a heeby jeeby when you look at them too long.

I don't think so...look at this: http://www.geocities.com/tgorw_sm/paindex.htm?200725

looks like it could be similar to the pine processionary moth caterpillars...although don't look like a pine they're in...anyway, some of these can be nasty (for pets or kids) and some require you to report them to the authorities...in most countries...

They look to me like Processionary. There is plenty of them where I am from. they make this kind of nest on pine tree, and they walk in long line when the nest fall down. They are urticant if you touch them, or even if you touch a leave on which they have passed.

I think you mean "mm"

The size and hairiness of them does look to tend towards moths. Butterflies look better after and moths look better before. Not sure what evolution is doing there, but its gotta be doing something.

I think you spoke to soon.

Edit: you meant the wingspan and not the caterpillar. Now I spoke too soon. *hangs head in shame smiley*

Are they in walnut/black walnut trees?

Please post more photos of them as they develop. I am interested.

I once found caterpillars of the Plain Tiger butterfly in Saudi Arabia on our University campus. Took them home and put them into an unused aquarium and waited for them to pupate. Fed them daily with the food plant and days later they made coccoons with fantastic gold dots on the edges. Then they hatched and I set them free. I used to have an interest in Arabian butterflies.

Keep us informed!

We have several trees infested with what I think is either Orchard Ermine, official name Yponomeuta padella, in German Pflaumen-Gespinstmotte, or Bird-Cherry Ermine (Web worm caterpillars), official name Yponomeuta evonymella, in German Traubenkirschen-Gespinstmotte. There are several ermine species, very similar. Not easy to get a good look at through their webs though, hence my uncertainty.

The caterpillars weave leaves and twigs together, and munch away at the leaves from within their webs. We have numerous little blankets of silk on several branches. Apparently very common in most gardens, and quite harmless. Looks bad, but the trees do not suffer and do recuperate, so no need to get any lethal spray out.

Here is quite a good caterpillar identification index (in German):

http://www.schmetterling-raupe.de/ (go to Raupenbestimmung to identify your caterpillar!)

Thanks for all the interest. The tree in question is close to a main road, and right alongside a cycle path that we often use. We are very interested to see what happens next and sneak a peek at every passing. The cocoons/webs are full of black/brown spheres, which we think are the eggs that the caterpillars are hatching from. The tree is absolutely infested with them and I expect that it will end up stripped bare. Hopefully, the caterpillars will pupate in the tree as well and we might then be able to see what finally emerges, moth or butterfly.

Hello!

I must confess that I don't live anywhere near Munich. I live near the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, USA. But I happened upon this forum while I was trying to identify a caterpillar nest that my husband and I found during one of our hikes. The nest looks... just like the one you found in Munich!

I suspect they are a type of tent caterpillar. If you try google.com and search for "tent caterpillar image", you will find some pictures that look much like your own caterpillar nest picture!

I will try attatching a photo of what my husband and I saw... Our photo was taken in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA. (May 2008)

They would appear to be European Gypsy Moths (Lymantria dispars). Bacillus Thuringiensis... Bt is the best control for this pest which can completely strip hardwoods and conifers in one season. There is a heavy infestation this year in the Eastern US which is being treated by aerial sparaying of Bt which is not harmful to humans.

Looks like Tent Caterpillars...best thing you can do for the tree is pour lighter fluid on the nest and light it...sounds cruel but these things breed like crazy and kill the tree they are harvesting.

I have already killed a bunch on my apple tree. I have never seen so many caterpillar nests around as I have this year.