290 Report oF THE ENTOMOLOGISTS OF THE 
The forest tent-caterpillar differs from most species usually dis- 
eussed in our bulletins in that it is of importance not to the far- 
mer alone, whose fruit and forest trees it readily defoliates, but 
to the people of the villages and cities as well, when, as during 
the past season, the hordes of caterpillars defoliate and render 
unsightly the maple and other shade trees of many village and 
city streets. 
This extensive destruction has created a general interest in the 
species so that there is a demand from all classes of people for 
information on the subject. The writer has had the species under 
observation during most of the past two seasons and has prepared 
this bulletin with the hope of aiding in disseminating the desired 
information. 
THE FOREST TENT-CATERPILLAR. 
Clisiocampa disstria Hubn. 
Order LupipopTERa. Family LastocaMPipAk. 
CLASSIFICATION AND NAME. 
Classification.—As indicated by its scientific name the forest 
tent-caterpillar belongs to the same genus, and hence to the same 
order and family as the apple-tree tent-caterpillar discussed in 
Bulletin 152 of this Station. The two species are closely related 
and have many similar habits. 
Scientific name.— The species was originally described by 
Hubner,’ probably in 1822, as Malacosoma disstria, but was later 
referred to the genus Clisiocampa established by Curtis in 1828. 
Popular name.—The popular name “ Forest Tent-Caterpillar ” 
or as occasionally given “ The Tent-Caterpillar of the Forest” is 
in reality a misnomer for the caterpillars seldom spin a true tent, 
although they have the habit of leaving a thread of silk wherever 
they go. It has also been referred to by some writers as the 
“ Forest Caterpillar.” 
1 Verzeichniss bekannter Schmetterlinge, p, 122. 
