Caterpillers - Birch Trees
 

Caterpillers - Birch Trees.
The ones that make those cob webs on tree branches.
Here, mostly seen on birch trees but do habitat other leaf trees.

Happened to be in yard in mid-June and viewed bunches of these caterpillers on trunks of all of my birch trees. I sprayed them with home chemicals. But each day there are more.

Appology to those who are favorable to these insects for whatever reason.

Does anyone know how to prevent these caterpillers?
Early in season so they don't make all of those nasty looking webs in the tree tops/branches later in summer?

fall webworm
 

These are called fall web worms. These worms are unsightly but rarely will kill your tree. Spraying the webbing and worms will kill them. Systemic insecticides like merit won't work too well. The best way to control them is to know when they hatching and treat them as they emerge.

More likely these are gypsy moth caterpillars. We are overdue for an infestation.

I think these are called Tent Catepillers. Every year.

Catepillars
 

We have had something consuming the leaves on our oaks and maples adjacent to the deck....it's subsided this weekend, but for the last few weeks I could hear them crunching away...kind of creepy at night when walking the dogs.....yuck!
I have seen large, fuzzy black catepillars around, so I assume it's them. But they've limited themselves to 4 trees, thank goodness....