| Appearance:This serious pest seems to have an | | | | Depending on the number of caterpillars present, |
| outbreak approximately every 10 -15 years. They | | | | damage can range from a light thinning to the |
| feed mainly on aspen and poplar, but will take | | | | complete elimination of the foliage present. If the |
| advantage of any foliage they can get. Forest | | | | cycle continues heavily for 3-4 years the host |
| tent caterpillars are approximately 40-50 mm in | | | | tree may die. In most years the tree will usually |
| length when fully grown. They are a dark brown | | | | re-foliate, either later the same year or the |
| colour with blue bands along their right and left | | | | next.Controlling the problem:Weather, loss of the |
| sides. A row of white markings is present all along | | | | food source, disease, predators and parasites all |
| the centre of their backs.Life cycle:The adult | | | | play a major role in controlling forest tent |
| moths can be found mating from July through | | | | caterpillar populations. If possible you may be able |
| August. Once mating is completed, the females | | | | to remove the egg bands from the affected |
| will lay their eggs in structures known as egg | | | | trees in late fall or early spring. If you are using an |
| bands. This is where the forest tent caterpillar | | | | insecticide to control this pest, ensure you follow |
| gets its name as the egg bands containing | | | | all the directions on the label before and while |
| 100-200 eggs resemble small tents within the | | | | applying. Ensure you apply early in the spring when |
| branches of the tree. The larvae emerge from | | | | damage is minimal and the larvae are small.Paul is |
| their protective egg bands in the spring. This | | | | a Certified Pesticide Applicator in the province of |
| emergence usually coincides with the appearance | | | | Alberta, Canada. He has over 15 years experience |
| of leaves on the host trees. The larvae will feed | | | | in the lawn care industry. |
| on the newly sprouted foliage till mid to late June. | | | | |