The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-05-09
The TENT CATERPILLAR
Commissioner of Agriculture Sounds
Warning.

missioner of Agriculture Sounds
Warning.
"The unusual abundance OF tent
caterpillars this year makes it ne
cessary to call the attention of the
general public to this destructive
pest. its Importance; and ways and
means Of control. Since the cater
pillars were quite abundant last year
the egg clusters were found in con-
siderable numbers this winter and
early spring and now with, the hatch,
ing OF eggs, caterpillars are with
us again in. destructive numbers. At
this season Of the year the tents may
be seen in the crotches of the trees
or the crotehes of the branches which
are nearly filed with the young cater
pillars which have just Matched out.
1t is the caterpillar stage just now
appearing which is so destructive and
which demands immediate attention.
Although this insect is not new
pest in Vermont, the reader may be
interested in brief account of its
life history. Starting with the pres
ent stage, the life cycle is about as
follows
The little caterpillars hatch just
as the leaf buds are expanding in
the spring. Very soon webs are spun
in the crotches of the branches. Wild
cherry trees. apple trees, plum trees,
etc, are the favorite food plants but
ornamental plants are frequently i'll
tested. In case the caterpillars are
abundant, complete defoliation of
the trees may occur. The little cat
erpillars cooperate in spinning the
webb which is situated in a sheltered
place for the caterpillars at night
and during cool periods. The cater
| pillars are full grown in five or six
weeks, after which they spin CO
| coons. After having found a suit
able place under the loose bark on
fence, in the grass or rubbish be
meath tree, they settle down in a
tuft of white silky material where
| they are transformed to the pupa
After three weeks the adult moth
emerges from the pupa stage to con
time the life cycle These adults
generally occur during the month OF
July. The moths are of two kinds
male and female, which copulate, and
lay egg clusters which may be found
by the latter part of August or Sep
TENDER and from thence on until the
egg hatch the following spring. The
egg masses which are so frequently
seen form a greyish brown banC
around the twig, closely resembling
the branch in color and containine
as many as 200 eggs placed end t.
end covered with frothy glue which
gives toughness and smooth appear
ance to the mass. The egg masses
may be one-half or two-thrids of al
inch in myth and form a slight en-
largement on the twigs. Each cater
pillar that is allowed to live thi!
year. not only does harm, but MAJ
lay 200 eggs for as many worms mex
year. There is but one generation
of caterpillars per year.
There are two stages in the lif,
history Of the ten caterpillar which
may be easily touched in matters O
control. The egg clusters may b,
cut from the twigs in the winter ant
destroyed by burning or burying
This is the simplest and probabl,
the most inexpensive means OF con
troll but to which attention is infre
quently given. The caterpillars ma,
be killed by destroying the nest o
by being poisoned by the use o
sprays. Paris green at the rate o
three-fourths of pound in so gal
Ions of water TO which should b,
added one pound of lime. or arsenat'
OF lead as paste at the rate of tire,
pounds to so gallons of water are tn,
two most common and most effectiv,
insecticides. Either of these solu
tons may be sprayed on to the tree
(which are infested and IL the work Il
thoroughly done and application re
peated after an interval of a week o
two as the leaves not now open ma,
appear, will dispatch the creatures
The nests which are now abundan
may be gathered from the trees b,
the use of a pole tipped with a clotl
attached so as to wipe the nest from
the plant.
The use of a kerosene or gasolin,
torch is not to be recommended be
cause of probable injury TO the tree
and the danger of starting fires. !
dip of kerosene applied by means o
a cloth attached to a pole of suitabl
length has been found by some to b
satisfactory means of getting Ri
of the nests.
The caterpillars are somewha
held in check by birds and by preda
ious insects although the latter ar
not abundant enough to be of an,
great value. 1t therefore become
clear that it is the duty of every In
dividual property owner who ha
plants which are infested or subjec
to infestation to use prompt measul
es for the control of this pest.
+. s. Brigham,