APPLE INSECTS — JWDS AND FOLIAGE 



121 



soft and fluff}^ and dusted with a yellowish powder (Fig. 132). 

 Most of the cocoons are placed in curled leaves, but many are 

 found in other more or less protected situations. In New York 

 the moths (unerg(^ and lay their eggs the last week of June and 

 the first of July. T\\v moths 

 are similar to those of the apple- 

 tree tent-caterpillar, but th(^ 

 oblique bands across the fi-ont 

 wings are brown instead of 

 whitish (Fig. 133). The eggs 

 closely resemble those of that 

 species, but the egg-rings are 

 smaller and more abruptly 

 rounded off at the ends. Eacli 

 egg-mass contains from 150 to 

 over 400 eggs. The young cater- 

 pillar becomes fully formed by 

 the end of August but remains 

 within the egg until the follow- 

 ing spring. 



Natural enemies. 



The caterpillars are preyed 

 upon by several kinds of birds 

 and by toads. Two predaceous 

 beetles, Calosoma scrutator Fab. 

 and C. calidum Fab., feed on the 

 larvae as do two of the sucking 

 bugs, Podisus placidus Uhler and 

 P. serieventris Uhler. A num})er 

 of hymenopterous and dipterous parasites prey on the cater- 

 pillars and are valuable aids in holding the pest in check. 

 The most important of these are, Pimpla conquisitor Say, 

 Pimpla inquisitor, Anomolon exile Pro v., Tachina mella Walk. 

 A mite also destroys the eggs. 



Fig. 131. — A mass of forest tent- 

 eaterpillars resting on a tree trunk. 



