The pest is a type of inchworm, called "Juniper Twig Inchworm (Patelene olyzonaria)".
Here is a link to a bit of info on them:
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/insects/cateast/pataolyz.html
I have a number of RMJs; 4 were infected with these inchworms.
Looking thru my garden, I found a landscape juniper which may be the original host tree for these pests.
The infected RMJs were isolated from the rest, and immediately treated with Malathion.
Voila...no more worms! proceeded to treat the host tree as well...no sense in taking chances.
So now in the past few days there has been no additional dead foliage appearing, and some new bits have started sprouting.
I was lucky...
Anyone else have this issue?
Flex