412 



INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OP CALIFORNIA. 



Distribution. — This caterpillar occurs throughout the central and 

 northern parts of the State. 



Food Plants. — The foliage and young' fruit of apple, cherry, peach, 

 pear, plum and other fruit trees, as well as the foliage of forest and 

 ornamental trees, are attacked by the forest tent-caterpillar. The 

 oak is the preferred host in the West. 



Fig. 417. — Larvse of the forest tent-caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria Hubner, on an 

 apple tree. Greatly reduced. (Author's illustration, Mo. Bui. Cal. Hort. Com.) 



Control. — The control of this pest is practically the same as for the 

 tussock moths. Burning is not as efficient for this species as for some 

 of the others. When disturbed most of the caterpillars fall to the 

 ground and may be kept from again reaching the tree by a suitable 

 band around the trunk. Colonies on the trunks are easily and quickly 

 killed by a liberal application of strong whale-oil soap with a large 

 brush. Strong poison sprays are also recommended as soon as the 

 larva? begin to appear. 



Natural Enemy. — Tachina mella Walk, has been reared from the 

 pupa? of this species. 



