Biology
The apple ermine moth is an imported pest which feeds exclusively on apples. The adult moth has silver-white wings spotted with black. Larvae are gray, cream-colored, or greenish with dark spots along the sides. They may reach 3/4" long at maturity. Young larvae feed on developing leaves, mining out leaf tissues. They later move into the foliage and feed as tent caterpillars. Several leaves are tied together with webbing to make nests up to 3" across. Each nest contains several caterpillars. New nests are made as leaves in old ones are consumed. The caterpillars pupate in clusters within webbing, beginning around June. Adults emerge from late June onward, with females laying eggs into the fall. Egg masses are about 1/2" across and are found on the bark. They are initially yellow but age to red then gray in color.
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