forest tent caterpillar |
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Malacosoma disstria |
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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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| Similar Species |
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| 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. |
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| Adult Food |
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| Life Cycle | Unlike other tent caterpillars, this insect does not spin tents. |
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| Behavior |
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| Range |  |
The range varies dramatically in outbreak years. The map on the right shows the areas of defoliation during the most recent (2008) outbreak. The map on the left includes the 2008 outbreak and subsequent sightings. |
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| 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. |
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| Taxonomy | Order: |
Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) |
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Suborder: |
Glossata |
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Infraorder: |
Neolepidoptera |
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Parvorder: |
Heteroneura |
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No Rank: |
Ditrysia |
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Obtectomera |
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Superfamily: |
Bombycoidea (hawk-moths) |
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No Rank: |
Bombyciformes |
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Family: |
Lasiocampidae (lappet moths) |
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Subfamily: |
Lasiocampinae (tent caterpillars) |
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Tribe: |
Malacosomatini |
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| Synonyms |
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| Common Names |
forest tent caterpillar (larva) forest tent caterpillar moth |
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