Hungry, hungry caterpillars: Native pest feasting heavily in 2024, leaving oaks bare of leaves

A native pest of Arkansas has been devouring oak leaves and, in its wake, defoliating trees across parts of The Natural State.

While defoliation by the variable oakleaf caterpillar shouldn’t cause damage to affected trees, summer 2024 appears to be a productive one for the pest.

“Defoliation from year to year can vary, and this year has been heavier,” said Forest Health Program Manager David Blythe. “Several reports have come in recently of oaks being defoliated around the state.”

So far in 2024, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division has had reports or on-site visits in Garland, Hot Spring, Lafayette, Monroe, Pulaski, Saline and Woodruff counties.

The bug prefers white oak but also eats the leaves of other hardwoods, including linden, beech, walnut, yellow poplar, apple and persimmon.

Any trees affected should leaf out normally next year, Blythe said.

This hungry, hungry caterpillar generally makes news headlines during summers when its feasts cause noticeable damage over large swaths of regions. The last major outbreaks in Arkansas occurred in 2017 and 2019. The insect ranges from Eastern Canada to Arkansas and Missouri, and infestations can cover millions of acres.

This moth’s larvae spend the winter underground and emerge in the spring with two generations per year. Defoliation can appear severe, and landowners are likely to be alarmed by the sight of their oaks losing all their leaves.

The larvae are yellowish-green with a broad orange/red band down its back. Adults are a dull brown or gray.

The caterpillar itself can be difficult to locate, but large amounts of its droppings, known as frass, found underneath afflicted trees can be an indicator of its presence.

Report oak defoliation to Blythe at 501-902-5791 or Chandler Burton at 501-297-1581.