Starting Catalpa Worms: Transfer Eggs or Young Caterpillars

To get catalpa worms (catawba worms) on a new tree, harvest egg masses from an established tree in February/March and attach them to your tree. Eggs hatch in 5–7 days; up to 1,000 per female. Alternatively, move very young caterpillars. The moths emerge from soil pupae in spring. No need to wait for moths to find the tree—direct transfer works best.