--- title: "Unbeleafable: Winter Moth Caterpillar Problems" description: Trees looking wilted and sad? The culprit could be winter moth caterpillars in Massachusetts. Learn about these pests and how Burgess Pest can help. image: https://blog.burgesspest.com/hubfs/WINTER%20MOTHS.png --- [![Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png](https://blog.burgesspest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Burgress_Oct2018/Images/Blog/Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png?width=468&name=Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png "Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png")](https://www.burgesspest.com) 508-587-4309  |    [Customer Login ](http://login.burgesspest.com/) - - - - - Residential - [Pad Protection Plans](https://www.burgesspest.com/pad-protection-plans/) - [Ant Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-ant-control/) - [Tick & Mosquito Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tick-mosquito-control/) - [Rodent Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-rodent-control/) - [Bee Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-bee-control/) - [Insulation Cleanouts](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-insulation-cleanouts/) - [TAP® Insulation](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tap-insulation-installer/) - [Wildlife Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-wildlife-control/) - [Schedule an Inspection](https://www.burgesspest.com/schedule-an-inspection/) - Commercial - [Partnering with Burgess](https://www.burgesspest.com/partnering-with-burgess/) - [3-Part Plan](https://www.burgesspest.com/inspect-detect-correct/) - [A Higher Standard](https://www.burgesspest.com/higher-standard/) - [Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/services/) - [Disinfectant Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/disinfectant-services/) - [Sanitation Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/trash-chute-elevator-pit-cleaning/) - [Pest Management for Food Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/food-services-pest-management/) - [Pest Management for Warehousing & Distribution](https://www.burgesspest.com/warehouse-distribution-pest-management/) - [Our Guarantee](https://www.burgesspest.com/our-guarantee/) - [Pest Management for Healthcare](https://www.burgesspest.com/healthcare-pest-management/) - Termites - [Termite Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-termite-control/) - [The Sentricon System](https://www.burgesspest.com/the-sentricon-system/) - [Schedule an Inspection](https://www.burgesspest.com/schedule-a-termite-inspection/) - Bed Bugs - [Identifying Bed Bugs](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-bed-bug-control/) - [Heat Treatments](https://www.burgesspest.com/bed-bug-heat-treatments-in-massachusetts/) - [Let’s Talk!](https://www.burgesspest.com/lets-talk-bugs/) - Resources - [Our Blog](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog) - [Video Library](https://www.burgesspest.com/video-library/) - [SDS](https://www.burgesspest.com/sds/) - [Consumer Bulletins](https://www.burgesspest.com/consumer-bulletins/) - Company - [Our Story](https://www.burgesspest.com/our-story/) - [Careers at Burgess](https://www.burgesspest.com/careers-at-burgess/) - [Service Areas](https://www.burgesspest.com/service-areas/) - [Customer Reviews](https://www.burgesspest.com/customer-reviews/) # Our Blog # Unbeleafable: Winter Moth Caterpillar Problems By [Admin](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/author/admin)| Apr 6, 2020 9:00:00 AM |[0 Comments](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/unbeleafable-winter-moth-caterpillar-problems#comments-listing) # Winter moth caterpillars in Massachusetts will soon be emerging, ready to feed on our trees. These caterpillars can quickly cause devastating damage to maple, oak, and apple trees, among many others. If you notice your foliage looking sad, the culprit could be the winter moth caterpillar. ![WINTER MOTHS](https://blog.burgesspest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WINTER%20MOTHS.png?width=176&name=WINTER%20MOTHS.png)Winter moths are non-native and were first identified in Massachusetts in 2003. Originally introduced to North America from Europe in the 1930’s, winter moths moved from eastern to western Canada and eventually to Washington state and Oregon, but were unknown in any other U.S. state until they were found here. Fun fact: female adult winter moths are virtually wingless and cannot fly. The males have full wings and are the moths you see congregating around outdoor lighting. Males will also gather in clouds around a female that is releasing mating pheromones. The female adult winter moth lays her 150-350 eggs on or under tree bark and lichen. The adult moths die, and the eggs overwinter until temperatures are right for hatching. Newly hatched caterpillars climb up the tree to begin feeding on buds, damaging leaves even before they fully open. The damage caused can put stress on trees, leaving them vulnerable to further damage and even eventually killing branches or entire trees. Weak, damaged, or dead trees are not only unsightly, they can cause property damage. To stop caterpillars from making a meal of your trees, give them some re*leaf* and call Burgess Pest for a  [free estimate](https://www.burgesspest.com/schedule-an-inspection/) for treatment. **There is a very narrow window of time in which these treatments can be effectively performed, so it is important to contact us as soon as possible.** Call, email, or fill out a form for more information.   [![Let's talk!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/460754/ec16ddc9-bc47-4101-bc51-1839c5088283.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/460754/ec16ddc9-bc47-4101-bc51-1839c5088283) Topics: [caterpillars](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/caterpillars), [massachusetts pest control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/massachusetts-pest-control), [pest control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/pest-control), [tall tree sprays](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/tall-tree-sprays), [massachusetts tree care](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/massachusetts-tree-care), [moths](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/moths)  Thanks for visiting today! ### Have a Pest Problem?   [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/460754/cb31fb6d-9c1e-4916-b4b7-a37bbc4590a1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/460754/cb31fb6d-9c1e-4916-b4b7-a37bbc4590a1) ### Get the latest in your inbox ### Recent Posts ##### Residential Pest Control - [Pad Protection Plans](https://www.burgesspest.com/pad-protection-plans/) - [Ant Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-ant-control/) - [Tick & Mosquito Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tick-mosquito-control/) - [Rodent Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-rodent-control/) - [Bee Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-bee-control/) - [Insulation Cleanouts](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-insulation-cleanouts/) - [TAP® Insulation](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tap-insulation-installer/) - [Massachusetts Wildlife Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-wildlife-control/) - [Schedule an Inspection](https://www.burgesspest.com/schedule-an-inspection/) ##### COMPANY - [Our Story](https://www.burgesspest.com/our-story/) - [Careers at Burgess](https://www.burgesspest.com/careers-at-burgess/) - [Service Areas](https://www.burgesspest.com/service-areas/) - [Customer Reviews](https://www.burgesspest.com/customer-reviews/) ##### Contact Us [508-587-4309](tel:508-587-4309) [email](mailto:info@burgesspest.com) - - - - ### SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BLOG: © 2022 Burgess Pest Management. 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