Per my local nursery, it is 'officially' a tent caterpillar year for us. Wonder how they determine that? In any event, keep a close eye out and try to catch them early.

I thought they looked like big gray cocoons. As a kid, I would poke them with a stick or light them with a Bic lighter and watch immature caterpillars fall out, hopefully to die or be eaten by birds.

But I have a lot of weeds with a little "white spit" where one leaf meets the stem. Is that some insect pest?

Rick that sounds like "spit bugs" here's a link to some info
http://www.ehow.com/how_508767...

Thanks, Greg. "Garlic and pepper".