Fall Webworm Hyphantria cunea

Lepidoptery isn't all fun and games. I hate to cast aspersions on some regular old moths who are just trying to get ahead in the world, but these caterpillar colonies in ornamental tree branches are one of nature's more unsightly botch jobs.

Left: July 2004, webworm escapee on the Twistyfaster Emergency Vehicle

Below: August 2004, infesting the Twisty redbud tree