

FISHERIES, GAME AND FORESTS. 15 



A number of insects prey on this caterpillar. Several fierce ground beetles do 

 valiant work in this way. The beautiful fiery ground beetle, Calosoma calidum Fabr., 

 and C. scrutator Fabr. are the two species specially known as enemies of the forest 

 tent caterpillar. Several parasitic flies attack this pest and a number of hymenopterous 

 insects. Of the latter, one of the most important parasites is known as Pimpla 

 conquisitor Say. which is represented in the accompanying figure. Whenever cocoons 

 of the forest tent caterpillar are collected, they should be placed in a box and covered 

 with a rather coarse wire netting, about T \ inch mesh, so as to confine the moths but 

 allow the beneficial parasites to escape. 



Remedies. As a large proportion of the eggs of this species occur on twigs within 

 twenty or thirty feet of the ground, something can be accomplished in winter by 

 cutting off the infested twigs and burning the egg clusters, specially if the trees are 

 not very large. But in the case of good sized maples, it is very doubtful if this could 

 be done to advantage, and even with moderate sized trees there would probably be 

 enough inaccessible egg belts near the top to stock the trees with a host of leaf con- 

 sumers. At best, the collection of eggs can hardly be regarded as more than one of 

 several repressive methods, no one of which can be depended upon in itself to prevent 

 serious injury. The egg belts can be seen best on a bright day and if there is snow 

 on the ground, it will be easier to find all cut twigs dropped to the ground. The 

 collection and burning of the eggs is necessary in order to insure thorough work. A 

 long handled pruning hook is of great service in cutting off the infested twigs. 



As soon as the presence of the young caterpillars (indicated by the thinness of the 

 foliage on the upper branches) is detected, much can be accomplished by crushing 

 them as they collect on the limbs or by dislodging them with a brush or torch. If 

 the latter is used, care must be exercised not to injure the tree. Many caterpillars 

 can be jarred from the tree by using a padded mallet, or even violent shaking will 

 cause some to drop. Driving the caterpillars from the trees by jarring or otherwise, 

 must be followed up by some means of preventing their ascent. A band of cotton 

 batting eight to ten inches wide tied tightly in the middle around a tree and the upper 

 portion turned down over the string and allowed to hang loosely, is a difficult obstacle 

 for caterpillars to surmount, so long as it remains dry. Wide bands of paper coated 

 with tar or of sticky fly paper -will also prevent the pests from ascending for a time. 

 A band composed of equal parts of lard and sulphur is said to be an effective barrier. 

 In one locality bands of cottolene were used to prevent the caterpillars from climbing 

 the trees. When the pests are very abundant, it will not do to depend entirely upon 

 shaking and bands, the dropping creatures must be collected on sheets spread under 

 the trees before they are jarred, and then killed, or crushed as they collect under the 

 bands. Nothing but the most vigorous measures will protect a badly infested tree 



