INSECTS OF THE GARDEN 195 



wren, downy and hairy woodpecker is known to consist 

 of beetles, and it is possible that a sufficient number of 

 these birds might be reared to deal effectually with this 

 pest. The toad may devour enormous numbers of them, 

 and, as we shall see when we study its life, they can often 

 be gathered in such numbers as to afford instructive feed- 

 ing tests. Spiraeas planted about the garden serve to pro- 

 tect other plants and form convenient collectors, and if it 

 is desired simply to destroy the beetles, they may easily 

 be shaken into a pan containing a little kerosene oil. 



The Tent Caterpillars. — These are of two kinds, somewhat 

 similar in appearance, but differing widely in habit of life. 

 The apple-tree tent caterpillar, Clisiocampa Americana, is 

 a pest so common and destructive and so easily dealt 

 with that Saunders says of it : " Governments might well 

 enforce under penalties the destruction of these cater- 

 pillars, as their nests are so conspicuous that there can 

 be no excuse for neglecting to destroy them, and it is 

 unfair that a careful and vigilant fruit grower should be 

 compelled to suffer from year to year from the neglect of 

 a careless and indolent neighbor." The moths lay their 

 eggs in easily recognized " belts " on the slender twigs of 

 trees, chiefly apple and wild cherry, in July. The minute 

 black caterpillars complete their development during the 

 summer and fall and may be seen curled up within the 

 eggshell any time during the winter. Early in the spring, 

 generally before the buds burst open, they eat their way 

 out and feed first on the cement with which the egg cluster 

 is protected. As soon as they appear they begin feeding 

 on the tender leaves and commence building their tent in 

 a convenient crotch. There are about three hundred eggs 



