Poplar Tentmaker
Ichthyura inclusa Hbn.

Morris, R.C.; Filer, T.H.; Solomon, J.D.; McCracken, Francis I.; Overgaard, N.A.; Weiss, M.J. 1975. Insects and Diseases of Cottonwood. Gen. Tech. Rep. SO-8. New Orleans, LA: U.S. Dept of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station. 41 p..

The poplar tentmaker occurs from southern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and west to Colorado. It may seriously defoliate young trees in nurseries and plantations, especially during the first year. Height growth is stunted, resulting in fewer cuttings from nursery stock. Stunted plantation trees may be overtopped by weeds.

Attacks are announced by the presence of tents made of one or more leaves lined with silk and harboring the caterpillars.

Larva of poplar tentmaker and tent on cottonwood leaf. Photo by Robert L. Anderson, USDA Forest Service

Brownish-grey adult moths have three white lines across each forewing and a crest of brown hairs on the thorax. The wingspread is about 1 inch (25 mm). Caterpillars are dark brown with four yellow lines on the back and a bright yellow line on each side. They reach 1 1/2 inches (38 mm) in length when fully grown and have black tubercles on the first and eighth abdominal segments.

There are two or more generations in the South. Adults appear in the spring and again in midsummer. Eggs are laid in clusters on the undersides of leaves. The larvae feed from May to October, then crawl to the ground and pupate in loose cocoons during the winter.

Parasites and predators usually control tentmakers in natural stands, but rapid build-ups can occur in plantations before the problem is recognized.