This week's topic on our friend Michael Raupp's blog, Bug of the Week, is the Eastern tent caterpillar.

The University of Maryland entomologist says the blooming of the cherry, apple and crab apple trees means it is time for gardeners to inspect the limbs for the signs of the black egg pouches that will launch as many as 300 hungry larvae each.

The caterpillars build their tents to protect them from the elements and predators and then proceed to completely strip trees of young and tender foliage.

The caterpillars can be removed with a gloved hand on a cool day, placed in a bag and destroyed, Raupp writes. The old method of burning them out, he says, is not only a bit dramatic, but the flames can harm the bark of the tree.

For more on tent caterpillars, as well as more pictures and video, visit his Web site.

Photo courtesy of Michael J. Raupp.