CLOSED: What kind of spider or insect could do this!??

Hello!

So, I know some types of caterpillars/worms can make spiders-like webs in trees, and I've seen a couple hairy little caterpillars on our porch, however my neighbors tree is currently being invaded by webs......it's creepy, something right out of the Twilight Zone, and I was wondering if such webbing could differentiate between a caterpillar or a spider doing this.
I ask because I thought the caterpillars/worms that make webs in trees don't do it to this extent. If you look at the picture you can see whatever this is is currently wrapping the whole tree in the center with web, an not just the limbs but the bark as well. O_O
They're in our trees too, but not NEARLY to this extent.

I couldn't take a picture of the caterpillar this morning since it was gone, but I got a shot of the tree, and I found this picture of a caterpillar that looked like the one I saw on our porch the other day.(not sure if it'll be helpful though, since a lot of caterpillar looks the same! lol)


Thanks for any help! I'd really appreciate it!

Could be web worms. What country do you live in? What climate zone? Thank you.

This message was edited Sep 8, 2013 4:27 PM

fall webworms: http://insects.about.com/od/identifyaninsect/a/cat-pests-id.htm

this is a good link to tell the difference.

they can be killed with any product that contains Spinosad...an organic solution which i have used for my own fall webworm problems.

Thank you so much you guys for responding!

I live in North Carolina, USA, but I think trackinsand is right! The fall webworm looks JUST like the worms on my porch this evening. GAH, if it's not one thing it's another here.
House spiders, Giant flying Water Bugs, Bees, Wasps, Big Red ants, Regular brown ants, Brown Recluse, Spittle Bugs, Earwigs, and now Fall Webworms........I miss living in a third floor apartment now! -__-
Lol


Thank you again!!

This message was edited Sep 8, 2013 5:32 PM

This message was edited Sep 8, 2013 5:34 PM

when you're treating a very large tree, you need a sprayer that will reach way up. it has to hit the leaf that the worms are eating to be effective.
the pecans are covered with them every year here and don't seem to really hurt a mature tree. i had them on a young oak last year so i was able to spray but eventually you just have to trust nature to do what it does.
as for the ones on the porch....ick and yuck!

Yeah something tells me my neighbor isn't going to do that, it takes him 3 months to mow his lawn - no exaggeration! I think his high grass attracted a lot of pest that have popped up this year >.<
As for our trees, I'm definitely going to treat them! So thanks for the info!!

And they KEEP showing up on the porch! *dies*
This morning there were seven on the small porch itself and then a bunch on the railings.....Gah. We're gonna spray the whole porch down later. =)


Thanks again for the help!

don't spray the porch with the spinosad though. just use soapy water on them. the spinosad only works if sprayed on a leaf and then the cat ingests it. hopefully they are eating your porch! LOL