Hello Gardeners, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making It Grow . The fall webworms are spectacularly visible these days. In spring, adults emerge from overwinter cocoons, females lay eggs and the first generation of this native caterpillar begins feeding in early summer. They don’t cause much damage as by the time their populations build up towards the end of summer, the deciduous leaves they’re feeding on are ending their life cycle. People get upset about the ugly, large masses