"Catawba Worms" Eating Fruit Trees: Probably Eastern Tent Caterpillars

Alabama: "Catawba worms" defoliating new apple, peach, rose. Homeowner heard "take all catawba works you can grow."

Reality Check

• True Catawba worms (catalpa sphinx caterpillars) eat only catalpa trees.
• Your pests on apple/peach/rose = Eastern tent caterpillars (common spring defoliators on many trees).

Control

• Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis): Spray foliage. Young caterpillars eat, stop feeding, die in days. Organic.
• Timing: Apply when caterpillars small (<1 inch). Late instars/pupating = Bt ineffective.
• Manual: Remove tents/web masses on cool mornings.

Buy Bt at garden center (Dipel, MVP, Green Step). Not catalpa worms—wrong host.