New York Agricultural Experiment Station. 365 



INTRODUCTION. 



The two species of insects discussed in this bulletin are among 

 the most common of the apple orchard. Both are found every 

 year throughout the State in varying abundance. They have simi- 

 lar habits in their methods of feeding in that both consume the 

 leaves and will quickly defoliate a tree if left undisturbed. They 

 pass through similar transformations and the adults of both are 

 moths. Of the orchard fruits both insects are usually most de- 

 structive to the apple, although other fruit trees are not exempt 

 from their attack. 



The apple tree tent caterpillar, although an insect very easy to 

 control, was probably never more abundant throughout the State 

 than during the past season. The unsightly nests of the cater- 

 pillars were much too conspicuous along the roadsides of other- 

 wise well-kept farms, while comparatively few uninfested apple 

 orchards could be found. The spring canker worm also, although 

 probably not so evenly distributed over the State, has been very 

 abundant in certain localities. From this is seems evident that 

 these insects should receive more careful consideration than here- 

 tofore in order to prevent their still further increase in numbers 

 and the consequent injury to the orchards. Every farmer should 

 be on the watch for them and take prompt measures for getting 

 rid of them when they appear on the trees, whether by the road- 

 side, in the dooryard or in the orchard. 



THE APPLE TREE TENT CATERPILLAR. 



Clisiocampa americana Harr. 

 Order Lepidoptera ; Family LASiocAMPiDiE. 



CLASSIFICATION AND NAME. 



Classification. — As indicated in the heading of this section the 

 apple tree tent caterpillar belongs to the order Lepidoptera. This 

 order includes the moths and butterflies, among which, especially 



