First generation fall webworm hatching

   Today, I spotted a newly hatched colony of fall webworm larvae on a young tree (photo at right). The larvae are so small at this time that are unable to chew up the entire leaflet. Instead, these newly-hatched larvae simply scoured the surface of the leaf turning it light brown in color.
    The larvae have already constructed their dirty-white web to protect the colony from predators and parasites. In the photo, you can see that the web currently covers just two leaves. I controlled this colony by simply cutting off the two leaves, removing the entire colony from the tree, and squashing the insects under foot.
    At this point in the growing season I have not noticed many fall webworm colonies. The colonies I have seen are generally located on trees that did not receive an insecticide treatment for pecan nut casebearer 10 days ago.