Homadaula anisocentra

Adults are recognized by their small size, silvery gray coloration, and wings densely speckled with black dots. Larvae are identified by their green to dark brown coloration with white stripes and their association with silk webbing on mimosa or honeylocust foliage. The species can be distinguished from the fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea) by host preference—mimosa webworm specifically targets Albizia julibrissin and Gleditsia triacanthos rather than the broad host range of fall webworm—and by the timing and appearance of webbing structures.

Adults are approximately 10 mm in length with silvery gray wings densely covered in small black dots. Larvae reach approximately 15 mm in length and are variable in coloration from green to dark brown, marked with distinct longitudinal white stripes.

Urban and suburban landscapes, parks, and streetscapes where host trees (mimosa and honeylocust) are cultivated. Larvae feed within protective silk webbing on host foliage. Pupae overwinter in protected locations including leaf litter, soil, and urban microhabitats that provide thermal buffering.

Native to China; introduced to the United States in the 1940s. Established throughout the eastern and central United States where host trees occur.

Two generations per year in the Mid-Atlantic region (Maryland, Pennsylvania); three generations in southern states (Georgia, Florida, Alabama). Adults emerge in late spring to early summer. Larval first occurrence correlates with approximately 543 growing degree-days.

Larvae feed on foliage of mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) and honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos).

• Albizia julibrissin - primary hostmimosa
• Gleditsia triacanthos - primary hosthoneylocust

Complete metamorphosis. Eggs laid on undersides of leaves. Larvae feed within expanding silk webs. Pupation occurs in protected locations on or near host trees. Overwinters as pupae. Two to three generations annually depending on latitude.

Larvae construct communal silk webbing that expands to encompass increasing numbers of leaves as they grow. This webbing provides protection from predators while larvae feed on enclosed foliage. Adults are active fliers in late spring and summer.

Herbivore and defoliator of ornamental trees. Serves as host for parasitoids including Elasmus albizziae and Parania geniculata.

Considered a significant pest of ornamental landscaping. Heavy infestations cause defoliation and aesthetic damage to mimosa and honeylocust, particularly affecting thornless honeylocust cultivars. Some cultivars (Moraine, Shademaster, Imperial) show partial resistance. Management includes manual removal of webs, biological control with Bacillus thuringiensis, and reduced-risk insecticides.

• Hyphantria cuneaFall webworm constructs similar silk nests but has broader host range (100+ species), appears earlier in season (May-June versus summer), and lacks specific association with mimosa/honeylocust
• Malacosoma americanumEastern tent caterpillar builds tents in branch crotches near trunk in early spring (March-April), primarily on Rosaceae hosts, not mimosa or honeylocust

• pest
• introduced species
• defoliator
• urban pest
• ornamental pest
• web-forming larva

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Webworms of the fall - Fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea and mimosa webworm, Homadaula anisocentra — Bug of the Week
• Oviposition behavior of the mimosa webworm Homadaula anisocentra Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)
• Overwintering survivorship of pupae of the mimosa web worm, Homadaula anisocentra (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), in an urban landscape
• Seasonal Abundance ofHomadaula anisocentra(Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) and Two Parasitoids,Elasmus albizziae(Hymenoptera: Elasmidae) andParania geniculata(Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), in an Urban Forest