Pest Photo

Jerald E. Dewey, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Spring cankerworm

Paleacrita vernata

Spring cankerworm (Paleacrita vernata) is an insect pest. It was first detected in Nebraska in 1984.

The spring cankerworm tends to range of hosts that include deciduous forest, shade, and fruit trees. Apple and elm seem to be preferred, but many oaks, maples, hickories, ashes, and beech are also fed upon.