Cankerworms

Fall cankerworm larva. Fall cankerworm larva.

Spring cankerworm larva. Spring cankerworm larva.

Fall cankerworm female moth laying eggs. Fall cankerworm female moth laying eggs.

TREE HOSTS

  • Apple
  • Ash
  • Cherry
  • Elm
  • Honeylocust
  • Linden
  • Maple
  • Boxelder
  • Red and White oak
  • And many more deciduous trees and shrubs

DESCRIPTION

Cankerworms are inchworm-like caterpillars that feed on the foliage of many deciduous trees. Outbreaks occur every few years, and are usually concentrated in urban areas or near deciduous woodlands. Heavy populations can cause complete defoliation of trees in spring. Typically, the cankerworm population will increase to an upper limit where it will remain for 2-3 years, and then decline for the same duration.  

Both the fall and spring cankerworm species are native to North America, and have many natural enemies that regulate outbreak populations. In Utah, the fall cankerworm is most common.

  • Moths have slender, dull grey-brown bodies and large, broad forewings. Males are about one-inch long, while the wingless females are about a quarter-inch long.  
  • Fall cankerworm eggs are laid in flat, neat rows that encircle twigs or small stems. Individual eggs are barrel-shaped, and shiny gray in color. Spring cankerworm eggs occur in smaller clusters and are not as neatly arranged. Individual eggs are spindle-shaped and silvery-beige in color.  
  • Fall cankerworm larvae range from light green to dark green or light brown to black. Usually, they have three small stripes on either side of the abdomen.  Spring cankerworm larval color ranges from yellow-green to yellow-brown to black.  They have one larger stripe down either side of their bodies.  

BIOLOGY

Fall cankerworms spend the winter as eggs on tree bark.  Spring cankerworms overwinter as pupae. Eggs of both species hatch soon after bud break. Larvae feed on foliage for approximately 6 weeks. When mature, they drop to the soil to pupate. Fall cankerworm moths emerge in fall after the first hard freeze, and spring cankerworm moths emerge in early spring. Females of both species lay approximately 50 eggs in loose clusters in bark cracks, under bark scales, and other protected sites.  Cankerworms have one generation per year.

SYMPTOMS

  • Tattered leaves
  • Random holes and chewed areas of foliage
  • Complete defoliation, with re-growth occurring several weeks later
    • If defoliation occurs more than 3 years in a row, trees lose vigor

GENERAL MANAGEMENT

Monitoring for cankerworm eggs and larvae will help to determine egg hatch and the extent of larval feeding. Trees native to Utah can tolerate cankerworm feeding and defoliation.  To help trees recover, provide optimal irrigation, fertilization, mulch (instead of turf) within the drip zone, and prune when necessary. 

Ways to monitor include:

  • Examine twigs of susceptible host trees in late winter for egg clusters. Flag a cluster, and at bud break, watch for larval hatch.
  • Shake multiple branches over white cardboard or cloth in early spring to look for dislodged larvae. Repeat every other day until larvae are found or leaves have fully expanded.
  • Examine terminals of several branches for early feeding in the spring, which appear as small, irregular holes between veins.
  • Use a sticky barrier around tree trunks to trap females and prevent egg laying on twigs. 

INSECTICIDES

Although insecticidal control for cankerworm is generally not recommended, persistent defoliation can be stressful to trees and may warrant application.  Horticultural oil applied during dormancy can smother eggs.  To treat larvae, an effective organic option is a product containing Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis).  It must be applied while larvae are still less than 1/2-inch long.  Conventional materials can be used if you miss the early treatment period, including carbaryl, cyfluthrin, esfenvalerate, permethrin, and others.


Precautionary Statement: Utah State University and its employees are not responsible for the use, misuse, or damage caused by application or misapplication of products or information mentioned in this document. All pesticides are labeled with ingredients, instructions, and risks, and not all are registered for edible crops. “Restricted use” pesticides may only be applied by a licensed applicator. The pesticide applicator is legally responsible for proper use. USU makes no endorsement of the products listed in this publication.