Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1159877

Western Tent Caterpillar Moth
Malacosoma californicum

Observation date: May 27, 2018
Submitted by: A_baldini
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Time: 2:48 p.m. Elevation: 6,504 ft. (mid foothills). General Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy and quite windy (15-20 mph). Observation Notes: There were nests like this all over the Poudre Canyon, mostly on this specific type of shrubby tree (do you know what it is?). The caterpillars were very active, crawling all around the nest extremely quickly. The coloration seems most akin to the Western Tent Caterpillar, but I'm not sure.
Status: Resident
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: June 27, 2018
Coordinator notes: Correct identification. Looks like the bush they are in is Mountain Mahogony (Cercocarpus). Sometimes they get in the chockcherry bushes and a bad infestation year. Guess your day on May 27 was a good one. This is the last submission you made from that date. Mike
Checklist region(s): Larimer County, United States, Colorado