REPORT OF STATi; HORTlCUI,TURIST. 57 



APPI,E TREE TENT CATERPIEEAR. 



The general appearance of this caterpillar is so familiar to 

 people in general, it seems hardly necessary to go into detail 

 regarding it. However, the enormous damage to our trees this 

 spring gives just cause for more or less anxiety concerning 

 future depredations. Without doubt in the course of a year 

 or so the parasites will once more have it under more or leis 

 control, but this is surmise. Indications at present point to an 

 infestation even greater than we have had before. 



The egg clusters extending around the twigs in an irregular 

 band about one-half to one inch in length are so conspicuous 

 that they are familiar to nearly every one. There are about 200 

 eggs in each mass and they are so glazed over with a brownish, 

 gluey substance that they glisten brightly in the sunlight. These 

 eggs are laid in the fall. 



The caterpillars are from one-half inch to two inches in 

 length and of a blue-black color. They are thinly covered with 

 yellowish hairs and are distinguished by a white stripe down 

 their backs. They hatch from the eggs during the last of April 

 or the first of May and commence feeding upon the budding 

 leaves at once, oftentimes being so numerous that the trees fail 

 to obtain a start. They become full grown in from five to six 

 weeks, after which they spin a cocoon and remain in this stage 

 about three weeks. The adult moth is fairly heavy-bodied, of 

 a reddish brown color, with two white bands obliquely across 

 the wings. The females have about one and one-half inch 

 wing expanse. Tliey mate soon after they emerge from the 

 cocoons and a little later they lay the eggs on the twigs. 



It is generally considered that the use of two and one-half 

 pounds to three pounds of arsenate of lead with 50 gallons of 

 water, applied at the time that the blossoms are showing pink, 

 will effectually control this insect on the apple tree. There is 

 oftentimes, however, not enough foliage at that time upon which a 

 sufficient amount of lead can be apphed to poison the entire 

 infestation. As we have found in demonstration work, the 

 most efficient manner of handling this pest is to apply a dormant 

 spray ; either one gallon of lime-sulphur to ten gallons of water, 

 or ten pounds of soluble sulphur to 50 gallons of water. When 

 thoroughly done, this will completely control them and none of 

 the eggs will hatch. 



