Kat Country Hub

Horse Show Results

Hallie Paulson won awards at the horse show.
Photo Credit, Denise Gilliland/Editor Kat Country Hub

Fall webworm appearing

I just saw a problem on a tree on my place this week that will generate a lot of questions in the next month or so. There was the start of a web that covered all the leaves on the last 6 to 12 inches of the branch. This is caused by the larvae of an insect called the fall webworm.

Late summer and fall is the season for fall webworm. Fall webworm attacks many species of deciduous trees… in fact, almost all fruit, shade and ornamental trees, except conifers, can be affected by fall webworm.

Adults of this insect are white moths. Adult moths emerge in late spring or early summer and lay eggs in masses on the undersides of leaves. The larvae emerge 10-14 days later and begin feeding in groups within a small webbed mass of leaves at the tips of branches.

The webbing provides protection from predators and the caterpillars feed inside the web until all leaves are devoured, then additional leaves are encased in the web. Webbed areas of leaves grow larger as the caterpillars mature, becoming a messy, ugly eyesore as it is filled with shed skins, excrement and leaf fragments. Homeowners often spot fall webworm as they enlarge their silken webs in late summer.

The first generation of caterpillars matures in about six weeks. Then they drop to the ground and enter the soil, where they pupate into adults and re-emerge to lay eggs for the second generation. Some larvae may pupate under loose bark, in leaf litter beneath the tree, or within the webbing.

Caterpillars of the second generation hatch and feed from approximately early August through late September. Then once again, the mature caterpillars drop to the ground and enter the soil to overwinter. Because the insects overwinter beneath host plants, trees that have been attacked in the past are likely to have these insects the following year, too.

Although unsightly, fall webworm feeding rarely damages large, well-established trees. However, several years of defoliation on newly transplanted or small ornamental trees can weaken them. Remove the nests in early summer when only a few leaves are involved is the best method of control.

Break up the webbing with a rake or a strong stream of water. Many of the caterpillars will be knocked out of the web onto the ground, and will be killed by birds or predatory insects. If it won’t affect the appearance of the tree, you can also clip off the end of the branch and destroy the larvae living in the webbing.

If you are going to treat with an insecticide, biological products containingBacillus thurengiensis or B.T. are effective. Other insecticides, such as permethrin and bifenthrin, will also provide good control. Thoroughly cover leaves next to the nest, and as the larvae ingest the insecticide they will be killed.

For more information on fall webworm control, contact your local UNL Extension office.

John Wilson

Kaslon new Northeast Nebraska Coordinator

Lisa Kaslon has been named the fulltime 4-H and Youth Development Coordinator for the Northeast Extension District.  She assumed the post on July 1 and is based out of the district office located in the Lifelong Learning Center building, Norfolk.  This position directs and assists Extension youth programming in all 28 counties making up the Northeast Extension District.

Kaslon noted, “I am very excited to help lead and direct 4-H programming in the Northeast District.  Northeast Nebraska has a strong tradition of 4-H involvement; as we move into the future we need to continue to find ways to stay strong and grow our program in new and innovated ways to keep kids engaged in a program as their choices continue to increase.  I hope I can help our staff find ways to do this.”

Kaslon has previously directed a highly successful UNL Extension in Platte County 4-H/Youth program.  Under her tenure traditional 4-H clubs thrived; a large, collaborative after-school program was instituted, and state-wide leadership programs were delivered.

“We are extremely fortunate to have Lisa Kaslon join the Northeast District Leadership team in a full-time capacity.  She has successfully created and operated youth educational programming, mentored new faculty members, and developed teams.  All are important criteria for being effective in this position,” Twig Marston, Northeast Research and Extension Director said.  Kaslon’s background is focused in education and leadership with both her B.S. and M.S. degrees coming from UNL.

The Northeast District has been seeking a permanent District 4-H/youth Development Coordinator since 2012, after Vickie Greve retired from successfully leading the district youth programs, faculty, and staff.  Lisa will be focusing on leading the Extension Educators and Assistants with local, district, and state-wide Extension programs targeting Nebraska’s most valuable assets, its youth.