Caterpillar Infestation

Observation: There were hundreds of caterpillars crossing the lower road going towards the tribal building and school lawn. Never saw so much in one place.

Cooperative Extension Service Consult: Jessie Moan, Statewide IPM Technician writes, "To the best of my knowledge, these are native insects. I was wondering if any plant defoliation had been observed near where the caterpillars were seen? I can't give you an exact identification but I believe these to be the same (or very similar) caterpillars to ones we have observed feeding on willow, alder, and cottonwood. Specimens of those have been collected and are being reared to adulthood to hopefully get a better identification. Their behavior of crawling across the ground might be them looking for more food or they may be looking for a place to pupate (change from the caterpillar form to the adult moth form)." University of Alaska Fairbanks