Ermine moth

Ermine moth

5718  My name is Aaron, I just moved into a house in caledon Ontario. I have these little white insects with black spots making webs all over several of the bushes around my property. The bushes don’t look dead yet, but they look like they are being consumed by the nests of these bugs. I was hoping someone could tell me what they are, and more importantly what to do about them. Thanks.

This is an ermine moth (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae); their larvae spin webs in which they feed as a group. There are several species that look very much alike; see http://tinyurl.com/z3gvvwg for an example. Control recommendations include physical removal of the webbing ‘nests,’ and application of a pesticide registered for use on the affected plants – see http://tinyurl.com/hefgkna for detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.