Some of the sweetgum trees had bunches of sick and dying leaves joined by webbing. Inside the clusters were many caterpillars which I collected on September 18 and took home. Some were this size and coloration; there were others smaller and with a slightly different pattern which I assume to be an earlier instar. Photos coming up soon.
Notice the small green parasite; it turned out to be a wasp that devoured the poor thing. Unfortunately I missed part of the process but I still have the wasp cocoon and I am hoping to get photos of the adult eventually.
Two more from the same group of caterpillars

close up of the parasitoid


Enlarged version