366 Report OF THE ENTOMOLOGISTS OF THE 
in the former group, are found some of the most destructive in- 
sects of the orchard. The family Lasiocampide, into which 
this species is further classified, includes according, to Comstock,’ 
less than 30 described North American species well distributed — 
throughout the United States. \ Thus the family may be con- 
sidered a comparatively small one but, because of the serious injury 
which its members are capable of doing, of much economic im- 
portance. The more common eastern species of this family repre- 
sent three genera, namely, Clisiocampa which includes the tent 
caterpillars, Phylloderma and Tolype which include the lappet 
caterpillars, so-called because they have on each side of each seg- 
ment a small lappet or lobe. From an economic standpoint the 
genus Clisiocampa is the most important. 
Scientific name.— The scientific name, Clisiocampa americana, 
was first proposed by Harris* in 1852, but only a brief description 
“was then given. 
Popular names.— No less than 9 popular names have been 
applied to this insect by writers on economic entomology as fol- 
lows: “The American Lackey Moth,” “The American Lackey 
Worm,” “American Lackey Caterpillar,’ “The Apple Tree 
Caterpillar,” “ The Apple Web Worm,” “ The Tent Caterpillar,” 
“The American Tent Caterpillar,” “The Orchard Tent Cater- 
pillar ” and “ The Apple Tree Tent Caterpillar.” The last name 
has been generally adopted by more recent writers. 
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HISTORY AND PRESENT DISTRIBUTION. 
This species is a native of North America. The earliest records 
which we have of it show that it was a troublesome species to the 
early settlers of Massachusetts. Fitch® states that it did much 
harm in Massachusetts in 1646 and 1649, so that these years were 
1 Manual for the Study of Insects, p. 360. 
2 Harris’ Treatise on Insects, p. 289. 
3 Noxious Insects of New York. Rpts. 1 and 2, p. 185. 
