22 
on the rails several inches deep. It is known to entomologists as 
the forest tent caterpillar, bnt in the South it is commonly called 
"the caterpillar" simply. The name of "tent caterpillar" is, in fact, 
inappropriate for it, since it spins but little and never makes a tent. 
It is closely allied, however, to the common tent-caterpillar of 
eastern orchards and has received its common name because of this 
resemblance. 
When full grown (Fig. 19) it is about two inches long and a 
quarter of an inch thick. It is of a brownish general color, and is 
conspicuously marked with a series of whitish or cream-colofed 
six)ts down the middle of the back. On the upper part of each side 
Fig. 19. Forest Tent Caterpillar, Malacosoma 
disstria, larva. Natural size. 
is a rather broad blue line edged above and below with a 
yellowish-brown line. When disturbed it drops from the branch 
*and hangs suspended in mid-air by means of a fine thread 
spun from the mouth. In moving about on the tree these cater- 
pillars follow each other in single file. They feed mostly in the 
tops of the trees, often eating out the central part of the base of a 
leaf, allowing the remainder to fall to the ground. When preparing 
to molt, they mass together on the limbs and may continue thus for 
a day or two. They often form similar masses in stormy weather 
and in general when at rest. The eggs (Fig. 20) are laid in a 
thick hard band around a twig and covered with an impervious 
varnish. From these the young hatch in early spring, sometimes 
before the appearance of the leaves on which they depend for food. 
Fig. '^0. Forest Tent Caterpillar, 
Malacosoma disstria: e, egg ring re- 
cently laid; g, hatched egg ring. 
Slightly enlarged. (Cornell Ex- 
periment Station.) 
Pig. 21. Forest Tent Cater- 
pillar, Malacosoma disstria: 
7M, male: /', fema'e. Natural 
size. (Cornell Experiment 
Station.) 
