488 INSECT PESTS OF FARM, GARDEN AND ORCHARD 



of the tent caterpillar, as it is found later, and the tent caterpillar 

 makes a relatively small web in the fork of a limb and never 

 encloses foliage in it. The caterpillars become full grown in a 

 month to six weeks, and then find secluded places under the bark 

 or in a hollow of the tree, in the rubbish at its base, or in a fence 

 corner, or sometimes just under the surface soil, and there spin 

 flimsy silken cocoons with which they mingle their own hairs. 

 They then transform to small brown pupae about one-half inch 

 long, in which stage the winter is passed. In the Middle States 



and farther south 

 there are two genera- 

 tions, the moths ap- 

 pearing in April and 

 May and laying eggs 

 in late May and early 

 June, the caterpillars 

 from which becomef ull 

 grown by mid- July. 

 The second generation 

 of caterpillars appears 

 in late August and 

 September at about 

 the same season as 

 farther north, and 



FIG. 412. Meteorus hyphanlrice, a common para- their pupae hibernate, 

 site of the fall web worm; a, adult female; 6, 

 empty cocoon showing cap and suspending thread 

 enlarged. (After Riley, U. S. Dept. Agr.) 



caterpillars would be much more of a pest, and it is when the para- 

 sites become scarce that injury results. One of their most com- 

 mon and effective enemies is a little Braconid fly,* whose small 

 brown cocoon (Fig. 412) is often found suspended from a twig or 

 leaf. Many caterpillars are also killed by various predaceous bugs, 

 and frequently they are killed off by fungous disease 



The fall webworm is a common pest of all orchard trees, and 

 frequently extends its injuries to shade trees. The larvae are not 

 uncommon on cabbage, beets and a long list of garden crops. 

 According to Dr. H. G. Dyar this species is confined to the South 



* Metewus hyphantrioe Riley. 



Were it not for their 

 parasitic enemies these 



