forest tent caterpillar

forest tent caterpillar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More photos…

Malacosoma disstria


Taxonomy

Order:

Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths)

 

Suborder:

Glossata

 

Infraorder:

Neolepidoptera

 

Parvorder:

Heteroneura

 

No Rank:

Ditrysia

 

No Rank:

Obtectomera

 

Superfamily:

Bombycoidea (hawk-moths)

 

No Rank:

Bombyciformes

 

Family:

Lasiocampidae (lappet moths)

 

Subfamily:

Lasiocampinae (tent caterpillars)

 

Tribe:

Malacosomatini


Status

 

Flight/Season

April to July

Habitat

 

Size

 


Identification

 

 
Similar
Species

 


Larval Food

In northern Minnesota they feed primarily on quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) and paper birch (Betula spp.) trees. In central and southern Minnesota they feed primarily on American basswood (Tilia americana) and oak (Quercus spp.). Red maple (Acer rubrum var. rubrum) is the only hardwood they will not feed on.

 
Adult Food

 

 
Life Cycle

Unlike other tent caterpillars, this insect does not spin tents.

 
Behavior

 


Range Range Map  

Sources: 7, 21.

The range varies dramatically in outbreak years. The map on the right shows the extent of the 2008 outbreak.

  Range Map
 
Sightings

Father Hennepin State Park

Lake Carlos State Park

Partch Woods SNA

Sibley State Park


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.


Images  
  forest tent caterpillar   forest tent caterpillar        
               
  forest tent caterpillar   forest tent caterpillar   forest tent caterpillar    

Synonyms

 

 
Common
Names

forest tent caterpillar (larva)

forest tent caterpillar moth


 

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