Appearance |
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Cankerworms are sometimes called "inchworms", but note that there are many other species of inchworms. Cankerworms have feet only at the front and rear, and they move by arching their rear portion. Appearing in the spring and fall, cankerworms are the larvae of the adult moth. |
Habitat |
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The usual habitat of cankerworms is any broad leaved tree or shrub including apple, ash, beech, birch, boxelder, elm, hickory, linden, maple, and oak- with oak and elm being the most commonly attacked. |
Diet |
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Feed on leaves of trees and shrubs for about 5 weeks during the summer. |
Control |
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Residual insecticides applied to the tree trunk and branches will kill the larvae when they emerge from eggs. Physical control by placing sticky bands around tree trunks is also possible. |