|
Importance - The poplar tentmaker occurs in southern Canada and from New England to Georgia and Colorado. Endemic populations may defoliate small groups of poplar and willow, especially trees growing in the open. Epidemic populations may completely defoliate large cottonwood plantations. Complete defoliation twice during the same growing season will result in growth loss, crown dieback, and in some cases, tree mortality.
Identifying the Insect - Full grown larvae are light brown to nearly black and Up to 1 3/15 inches (42 mm) long. They have four light yellow lines on the back, and a bright yellow and several indistinct lines on each side. Adults are brownish gray, with three whitish lines crossing each forewing. The hindwings are crossed by a wavy band.
Identifying the Injury - Newly hatched larvae skeletonize the leaf; older larvae devour all except the leaf stalk. Severe defoliation occurs during summer and early fall. Many one or two-leaf webbed tents hang from the branches.
|
Larvae.
Photo by Robert L. Anderson, USDA Forest Service |
