Hyphantria cunea revisited

The growing season in these parts features pecan trees leafed out. The pecans are among the last trees to leaf out. They leaf out just about the time the majority of migratory warblers come through, the concealing herbage rendering those warblers more difficult to espy. However, since those leaf gleaning warblers would not be in a leafless tree in the first place, who should care? Well. It's just fancy. Many have speculated how nice it would be for the warblers to assemble in leafless pecan trees for the benefit of the birders.

Hyphantria cunea festoons the pecan trees with unsightly webs. Inside the webs, or bags, the caterpillars, or worms, make themselves at home, contentedly digesting the ingested pecan leaves. The bagworms are trying to oblige the birders. But their timing is off since the warblers and the birders have long since departed. Another example of "better late than never" not working as anticipated by the old wives or common sense.

Generally, the moths may be noted in the spring. They are small, white moths resembling the larger Spilosma moths, but lacking the colorful splotches on their abdomens. On those occasions when a great many moths are on the wing, the English sparrows assume the attributes of flycatchers or maybe falcons, taking moths in mid-air. However, English sparrows are only imaginary flycatchers or falcons, inefficient yet comical. Hark! These twain introduced vermin probably carry out the same seasonal activity back in the old country.

Until recently, Crumby has had to rely on an artist's conception for the appearance of Hyphantria cunea. But now, at last, we may have an actual photo or two.