This tree does fantastic in my area, the Northern species atleast. The catalpa worm does not range in my area and these trees are blemish-free all year up here. A Chinese species has been planted in the area with pronged leaves and is seeding slightly, as evidence by the young trees around, but those small plants donÂt survive a really dry summer usually, but there are atleast 3 juvenile plants that are 15 feet tall now. Mature plants are very hardy here. Also pretty, but I prefer the northern.

IMO you are all worrying about soemthing that really is not that important. The larva will abandon their old nest and build a new nest on any fresh plant given to them. In my micro habitat water cages when I cleaned a cage I pulled all the old plant/nests and set them aside in an escape proof tray. I'd clean the cage, put it back together and then stick fresh cut plant through the holes and into the water bath. Next I'd clip the old nests from the old plant and placed them on or near the new fresh plant. When the larva come out to feed they move to and feed on the new plant, then construct a new nest there. Depending on which species of lep and plant and how many larva I had to a cage, I changed the cut plant anywhere from once daily to every few days. The larva didn't mind at all, and this allowed me to always have the freshest plant for them to eat in the cleanest environment to prevent disease. I know, I still need to take pictures of one of my home made cages. That new digital that MissSherry forced me to buy will be delivered by the big brown truck sometime today... maybe when I have a good day I'll get a cage dug out of storage to try it out on. ;) Larry

Even if they are moths, it would still be interesting for the kids to see it. Ask why is it where it is; what do the caterpillars gain from feeding together; are there stripped areas? does it look like the tent may have overwintered? What happens if someone (very gently) touches the nest? What do the caterpillars do? Why? There are some types of butterflies that create nests--mourning cloaks, for example.

fennelgrl, There are products that will take out any plant-chewing caterpillar. One is called BT, a natural product made by fermenting bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis.) It doesnÂt last too long though. Another is also made by fermenting bacteria, (Saccharopolyspora spinosa) and this one is very effective. I used it three years ago with a massive invasion of tent caterpillar and southern tent caterpillars. They disappeared in about three days, dead bodies hanging in their tents and on the ground. It works by making them unable to eat anything. I havenÂt seen any of these caterpillars in the past two years. Gardens Alive will have this product under the name of Bulls-Eye Bioinsecticide. At least, this one seems to work and lasts for a longer period of time. Here is a link that might be useful: Gardens Alive