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From: http://www.glfc.forestry.ca/frontline/bulletins/bulletin_no.9_e.html

"The forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria, is an insect
defoliator that is native to North America. It has historically caused
extensive defoliation of hardwoods throughout Canada except in
Newfoundland, the Northwest Territories, the Yukon, and Nunavut. It
feeds primarily on trembling aspen, oak, ash, maple (except red
maple), white birch, and many other deciduous trees and shrubs as
well. Widespread outbreaks occur at intervals of 10 to 12 years. When
outbreaks occur, they usually last from 3 to 6 years, depending on
natural control factors."

My question #1: I would like examples of where defoliation by forest
tent caterpillars actually killed trees.

Thank you


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Request for Question Clarification by czh-ga on 23 Jul 2005 16:32 PDT

Hello uzzz-ga,

I have found dozens of articles about the damage caused by the Forest
Tent Caterpillar but could not find anything to confirm tree mortality
caused by these infestations. Would negative information on your
question be useful? Here is an example of the many research reports
available.

I look forward to your clarification.

~ czh ~



http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN341
Forest Tent Caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria Hübner (Insecta:
Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)1

Populations of forest tent caterpillars occasionally or periodically
attain outbreak proportions. During outbreaks, enormous numbers of
caterpillars cause widespread and extensive defoliation of host trees,
and may create an overwhelming nuisance to people encountering them.

Seldom are trees killed during such outbreaks and where tree mortality
has occurred, it usually has not been substantial (Anderson 1960).
Severe and repeated defoliation can, however, lead to dieback and/or
reduced growth of affected trees, which in some instances may be
significant (Drooz 1985).

The extent, magnitude and impact of this outbreak reached pronounced
levels in 1995 and, in general, escalated to alarming proportions in
1997. Noticeable declines in forest tent caterpillar populations were,
however, recently evident at some locales where caterpillars had been
abundant for three to four years. Although no tree mortality has
occurred as a direct result of defoliation, the sheer number of
caterpillars, their frass, and the subsequent populations of adult
moths have caused numerous problems for people, particularly in urban
environments.

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Clarification of Question by uzzz-ga on 25 Jul 2005 07:35 PDT

Hello czh-ga

Thank you for looking into this question. In my searches on the web
(and I'm not very proficient) I have seen some references to trees
dying as a result of severe infestations however with no evidence
provided.

The information that you have provided is quite interesting and I appreciate it.

Ideally I hope that this question undercovers an actual confirmed case
(or 2) of mortality. If no such answer comes forward by August 22 I
welcome you to post the information that you have found to the
contrary.

Regardzzz

Uzzz

When we're falling trees we see these bugs but i've never seen one
infestation kill a tree, but we also cut most of our trees before the
bugs get in them.