Canadian Forest Service Publications
Effect of host and nonhost trees on the growth and development of the forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) 1997. Nicol, R.W.; Arnason, J.T.; Helson, B.V.; Abou-Zaid, M.M. The Canadian Entomologist 129: 991-999.
Year: 1997
Issued by: Great Lakes Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 9802
Language: English
Availability: PDF (request by e-mail)
Abstract
Larval growth and pupal parameters of the forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria Hubner) reared on the foliage of two host trees (Populus tremuloides Michx. and Acer saccharum Marsh.) and one nonhost tree (Acer rubrum L.) were quantified. This was achieved by undertaking a larval development bioassay under controlled laboratory conditions, but using fresh leaves collected in two field seasons. Larvae fed foliage of P. tremuloides grew exponentially and began to pupate after 3 weeks. Larvae fed with_ A. saccharum_ gained significantly less weight and had a reduced number of larvae pupate, and the pupae weighed significantly less than their counterparts fed on P. tremuloides. All larvae that were fed the foliage of A. rubrum died within 2 weeks. A nutritional utilization bioassay with fouth-instar larvae revealed that the foliage of A. saccharum has a growth-inhibitory component, whereas that of A. rubrum, is antifeedant. Reasons are discussed for the discrepancy between the many reports of A. saccharum being a food host for M. disstria in the field and the laboratory results.