The Coldwater Lake area of Mt. Saint Helens National Monument is experiencing an explosion of Western Tent Caterpillars. Partly as shelter, the caterpillars group together to create these “tents” at the tips and intersections of tree branches.
At regular times the caterpillars venture forth to find food, at which times they completely covered trails, benches, trees, and even car tires.
The caterpillars eventually find a secluded place to form their chrysalis, and begin their transformation into a moth.
