(MI) Traverse City Record-Eagle – The caterpillars tend to appear in waves, but it’s hard to predict when their numbers will be strongest. In years like this one, when the caterpillars are particularly abundant, it’s not surprising to see their telltale silk webs appear in other types of trees or plants.

“It is very unusual for them to be as numerous as they have been for two years in a row,” said Duke Elsner, an agricultural educator for the Michigan State University Extension office in Grand Traverse County. “It’s not as widespread as last year, but where it is, I think it’s much worse.” More