Our trees are pretty bad too. The heat has nearly done them in.

they are Gypsy Moths. Very prevalent on the East coast. They are from Eurpoe or Asia, and were broght here in the 1800's for "silk farming". They have no natural predators here and they've been spreading ever since. In some forests in New England you can hear them chewing on leaves, they are so noisy.

Yuk, I am glad it was you, and not me Carrie. God bless.

Yeah, the grasshoppers here look like popcorn popping as one walks across the yard! Gross! Plagues of the Egyptians, anyone?

Lmbo!!!!

Ahhhh and yuck, I remember these. In NY we called them tent caterpillers because they build white webby nests in the trees that look like little tents. Then eat their way to the ground and become like a swarm of caterpillers on the ground. For some reason, probably because of a good food source, they seem to swarm more some years then others.

I didn't read the whole thread, but if I were you, I would be getting myself to the closest orchardist and let them know and see if they have any suggestions about what to do and what you can expect. Fruit trees are highly susceptible to these attacks and the orchardists work overtime to protect their crops and income <wave> (I did read the last page where you were receiving information about these being gypsy coddling moths - - which I had assumed, but others know better then me. Emboldened by their information, I offer my suggestions)

I plant Garlic among my flowers. The bugs hate it. If I don't have garlic to plant, I'll put garlic powder in water and spray the plants. Tomatoes won't have bugs if you plant garlic around them.

Well they are all gone now. It lasted for about two weeks.

I'm surprised they are immune to the insecticides as caterpillars are pretty effected by it. You might want to get a specimen and give it to your county extension office person. They'll be able to narrow it down and tell you what it is.