The forest tent caterpillar moth (Malacosoma disstria) is a North American moth found throughout the United States and Canada, especially in the eastern regions. The larvae of this species are notorious tent caterpillars. Tent caterpillars do not make tents, but rather, weave a silky sheet where they lie together during molting. They lay down strands of silk as they move over branches and then travel along them like tightrope walkers. They follow pheromones secreted by other larvae rather than following the silk lines themselves. The caterpillars are social, traveling together to feed. The caterpillars live in deciduous trees, which they strip off leaves after emerging from their eggs. The adult moth of this species favors oak, sweetgum, tupelo, aspen, and sugar maple for oviposition, but