THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



181 



THE EASTERN APPLE-TREE TENT CATERPILLAR. 



Malacosonia uincruaiw Fab. (Family Lasiocampidiie). 



(Fig-. 166.) 



General Appearance. — The eggs are cylindrical to oval in shape and 

 are laid in compact clnsters around the smaller twigs so as to form a 

 cylindrical-shaped mass over which the female spins a dark water- 

 proof web. The caterpillars hatch in the spring and begin work upon 

 the tender leaves and shoots, but rarely bec( me abundant until early 

 summer. When full grown the caterpillars are hairy, about one and 

 three quarters inches long, black in color with distinct yellow and w^hite 

 stripes along the back and with blue and white dots along the sides. 

 The cocoons are spun of- yellow silk and the pupa^ are rich reddish 

 brown. The adults are about one inch long witli a wing expanse of 

 from one and one tenth 1o one and 

 one half inches. The general color 

 is purplish brown, the front wings 

 having two white bands which are 

 parallel to the wing margin and each 

 other. The hind wings are plain. 



Life History. — The winter is 

 passed in the egg stage, the young 

 caterpillars hatching out in the 

 spring after tlie leaves begin to 

 appear, but may sometimes be fo.und 

 on the trees before the blosscms are 

 gone. The caterpillars attack the 

 foliage. They are social in their 

 habits and soon spin a large web on 

 which they collect when not feeding. 

 "When ready to pupate the larvae seek 

 some sheltered place near the host, 



Distribution. — Limited to few localities, 

 eastern nurser^^ stock. 



Food Plants. — Apple, cherry (cultivated and wild), plum and 

 peach, the foliage and young fruit being attacked. • 



Control. — Destroying the egg masses during the winter months is one 

 method of getting rid of the pest, but the usual arsenical sprays for 

 codling moth or canker worm are sufficient to keep it in check. 



The tents may be destroyed by burning with an asbestos torch when 

 the voung congregate in them. 



Fig. 166. — The nest of the ap- 

 ple-tree tent caterpillar, Mala- 

 cosoma americana Fab. (After 

 Moore.) 



Probably imported on 



