INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE APPLE AND PEAR 



541 



ceous soldier bugs (Podisus spp.) and many of our common birds. 

 Large numbers of the caterpillars are also carried off by a bac- 

 terial disease. 



Several species of little chalcis-flies are parasitic in the eggs 

 and destroy a large proportion of them. Were it not for these 

 natural enemies the tent caterpillar would become a much more 

 serious pest. 



Control. The egg-masses may easily be detected and pruned 

 off during the winter, and it would be well to leave them in a box 



FIG. 473. Cocoons of the tent caterpil- FIG. 474. Web of the tent cater- 

 lar, natural size. (After Lowe.) pillar riddled by birds. (Photo 



by Weed.) 



covered with netting so that the parasites may escape. Neglected 

 apple and wild-cherry trees should be destroyed, as they harbor 

 this and other pests and are usually valueless. The caterpillars 

 may be quickly destroyed by spraying with Paris green or arse- 

 nate of lead just after the foliage comes out, before the trees 

 blossom. If there are but a few nests the caterpillars may be 



* See W. F. Fiske, Tech. Bulletin 6, N. H. Agr. Exp. Sta. 



