THE FOEEST TENT-OATEEPILLAE.* 



V. 11. Lowe. 



SUMMARY. 



The forest tent-caterpillar has been unusually destructive dur- 

 ing the past season, its ravages extending over a wide area. The 

 caterpillars feed upon the foliage of a large variety of forest, 

 shade, and fruit trees, but during the past season have been espe- 

 cially destructive to sugar maples. 



The life history of the insect is similar to that of the apple- 

 tree tent-caterpillar, discussed in Bulletin 152 of this Station, ex- 

 cept that the forest tent-caterpillars do not build conspicuous nests. 



The insect may be successfully combated in all of its stages, 

 but under most circumstances, is especially susceptible in the cater- 

 pillar stage. 



INTRODUCTIOK 



Probably the most important entomological event in this State 

 during the past season was the unusual outbreak of forest tent- 

 caterpillars in Central, Eastern and JSTorthern New York. 

 While this insect is not a newcomer in the forests and orchards 

 of this State, there are no records indicating that it has ever 

 before occurred in such great numbers over so wide an area. Al- 

 though the caterpillars were unusually numerous in certain sec- 

 tions of the State, the distribution of the species within our 

 borders is not limited to these sections. On the contrary it is 

 found over almost the entire State and in sufficient numbers to 

 make it of much economic importance. 



•Eeprint of Bulletin No. 169. 

 19 



