Apple ermine moth

In late spring you will notice white silken webbing on serviceberry or native crabapple branches, with small dark caterpillars visible inside tents. These caterpillars strip leaves within webs, leaving skeletonized foliage and unsightly silk webbing. Look for tents in April and May in Western Washington gardens.

Remove silk tents by hand while caterpillars remain inside; simply prune branch tips and dispose of webbing. Pruning eliminates the problem entirely and avoids pesticide use. If you miss larval stage, damaged foliage typically drops and branches regrow with fresh leaves by mid-summer. Cosmetic pest with no long-term impact on tree health.