368 Report of the Entomologists of the 



distributed to any appreciable extent in this manner. Locally it 

 is readily disseminated by the female moth which flies with com- 

 parative ease even when burdened with eggs. 



nature of the injury caused by the apple tree tent 



caterpillar. 



The nature of the injury caused by this insect is readily appar- 

 ent, In addition to the unsightly nests which mar the beauty of 

 the tree, the caterpillars devour the foliage, often completely strip- 

 ping the limbs. Thus the vitality of the tree is greatly impaired, 

 resulting in materially weakening it if the evil is not checked. 



FOOD PLANTS. 



The caterpillars manifest a decided preference for the wild 

 cherry and hence it is probable that this is their native food plant. 

 Next to the wild cherry the apple seems to be preferred. From 

 time to time, however, they have been found feeding upon appar- 

 ently new food plants as if extending their bill of fare until now 

 the following may be included in the list: Cherry, apple, plum, 

 peach, rose and other members of the rose family, witch hazel, 

 beech, barberry, various species of oaks, willows and poplars. In 

 addition to some of these Weed 8 reports finding them upon a 

 species of birch. 



DESCRIPTIONS AND LIFE HISTORY. 



The egg. — The eggs are a dull or dirty gray color. They vary 

 slightly in size and shape. They average about 1.3 mm. long by a 

 little more than half the length at the top and tapering slightly to 

 the base. The upper end is quite uniformly circular and has a 

 dark shadowy spot in the center. There may be a decided dent 

 in the base of the egg when removed from the egg mass and the 

 sides be pressed out of shape. The eggs have been aptly compared 



8N. II. Coll. Agrl. Expt. Sta. Bui., 38. p. 53. 



