forest tent caterpillar |
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| Malacosoma disstria | |||||||
| Order | Lepidoptera (Moths and Butterflies) |
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| Superfamily | Lasiocampoidea (Lappet Moths) |
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| Family | Lasiocampidae (Tent Caterpillars, Eggars, Lappet Moths) |
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| Subfamily | Lasiocampinae (Tent Caterpillars) |
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| Status |
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| Flight/Season | April to July |
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| Habitat |
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| Size |
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| Identification |
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| Larval Food | In northern Minnesota they feed primarily on aspen and birch trees. In central and southern Minnesota they feed primarily on basswood and oak. Red maple (Acer rubrum var. rubrum) is the only hardwood they will not feed on. |
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| Adult Food |
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| Life Cycle |
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| Similar Species |
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| Range |  |
The range varies. The map at left shows the extent of the 2008 outbreak. | |||||
| Sightings | |||||||
| Comments | In Minnesota widespread outbreaks of these insects occur every 10–20 years. The outbreaks last two to three years.They are followed by outbreaks of the friendly fly (Sarcophaga aldrichi), a natural parasite of the caterpillar. Unlike other tent caterpillars, this insect does not spin tents. |
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