6 
Theronia melanocephala Brullé (?%), and the dipteron Frontina 
frenchit Will. 
Among predaceous insects are several species of ground beetles 
which are said to feed upon the larvee, among them Calosoma seruta- 
tor Fab. Among the Hemiptera Mr. A. H. Kirkland has observed 
several species of Podisus attacking the larvee (Podisus plactdus Unl., 
P. modestus Dall., and P. serieventris Uhl.) and the rudiviid Dz- 
plodus luridus Stal. Also, according to Professor Bruner, Podisus 
spinosus Dall. and Perillus claudus Say are enemies of the caterpil- 
lars. e 
While most birds, as a rule, do not feed on hairy larvee, such as 
the tent caterpillar, yet several species are known to include this 
insect in their diet, as the black-billed and yellow-billed cuckoos, the 
bluejay, and, according to Mr. E. H. Forbush, the crow, chickadee, 
Fic. 38.—Pimpla conquisitor, an important parasite of the tent caterpillar: a, Larva, 
enlarged; b, head of same, still more enlarged; ¢. pupa; d, adult female, enlarged ; 
e, f, end of abdomen of adult male, still more enlarged. (From Fourth Rept. U. S. 
Entom. Comm.) , 
Baltimore oriole, red-eyed vireo, chipping sparrow, and yellow war- 
bler. Kirkland states that the common toad feeds greedily on tent 
caterpillars, he having found in their stomachs the remains of from 
15 to 20, and in one instance 37 of these larvee. 
The caterpillars are also subject to destruction by a bacterial dis- 
ease, especially when they become grown or nearly so, and sick, slug- 
gish individuals may often be observed lying outside at full length 
on the nest. Larve killed by this disease are soft-bodied, the skin 
easily rupturing and permitting the escape of the liquid decomposed 
body contents. 
METHODS OF CONTROL. 
Removal of useless trees —<As has been stated, the unsightly nests 
of the tent caterpillars are especially apt to be found on wild cherry, 
apple, and other trees growing along roadsides, fences, and elsewhere. 
[Cir. 98] 
