Appearance:
This serious pest seems to have an outbreak approximately every 10 -15
years. They feed mainly on aspen and poplar, but will take advantage of any foliage
they can get. Forest tent caterpillars are approximately 40-50 mm in length
when fully grown. They are a dark brown colour with blue bands along their
right and left sides. A row of white markings is present all along the centre of
their backs.
Life cycle:
The adult moths can be found mating from July through August. Once mating
is completed, the females will lay their eggs in structures known as egg bands.
This is where the forest tent caterpillar gets its name as the egg bands
containing 100-200 eggs resemble small tents within the branches of the tree. The
larvae emerge from their protective egg bands in the spring. This emergence
usually coincides with the appearance of leaves on the host trees.
Controlling the problem:
Weather, loss of the food source, disease, predators and parasites all
play a major role in controlling forest tent caterpillar populations. If possible
you may be able to remove the egg bands from the affected trees in late fall
or early spring. If you are using an insecticide to control this pest, ensure
you follow all the directions on the label before and while applying. Ensure
you apply early in the spring when damage is minimal and the larvae are small.
Paul is a Certified Pesticide Applicator in the province of Alberta, Canada.
He has over 15 years experience in the lawn care industry.For more lawn care
information, please visit http://www.fairyring.ca/Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Burke
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