Draft 1 Tent caterpillars

I. Introduction

The purpose of this lab was to determine whether the size of the tents and the number of tents per tree are related to the type of tree.

Our hypothesis was that the larger the tree the larger the size of the tent and the greater number of tents in the tree.

We chose to develop this lab because we have all seen and wondered about the tents created by caterpillars. We had all been curious to how and why these tents are built. Coming to our specific question took a lot of time and thought. We had several basic questions we were interested in, but finding one detailed question was difficult.
By researching and observing this area we hoped to determine

We feel that this research is interesting, because it is a part of nature that many of us have seen. Tent caterpillars are present through much of the east coast and Midwest, so we felt that this topic would interest many people in addition to ourselves.

II. Relevance

Much research has been done on caterpillars. Many people have studied the effects these caterpillars have on the trees in which they construct their tents.

Further research in the area of caterpillars may help farmers, tree nurseries, and even the common person.

Our research of the caterpillars will also include their competition amongst each
other and what they become after their lives as caterpillars.

III. Materials and Methods

a. We will be observing and collecting data on the silk tents produced by tent caterpillars. We will study whether the caterpillars chose specific trees how large of tents they produce, where the tents are placed in regards to the tree, and whether or not the caterpillars have positive /negative effects on the trees. To collect data we will have walk around parts of campus looking for the silk tents. When a tent is located measurements of it’s length, width, and height will be taken. In addition we will record where the tent is located in the tree and any noticeable effects such as foliage that has been damaged. We also collect a leaf from each tree a tent is located in. The leaves will help to identify the type of trees tents are found in.

b. To insure statistically sound data, we will collect at least thirty measurements from all over campus. By collecting a large sample, we will reduce the bias of the results. Along with data collected by the class our group will collect a significant number of samples.

c. Materials needed for this lab will include a ruler, tape measure, tree identification book, and a calculator.

d. To involve the class in our lab, we will split into four groups. Each of these groups will go to a specific area to look for tents. Each group will measure the length, width and height, observe the position, take a sample leaf, and observe if the tree has any significant damage from the tent. After data has been collected, we will have some students help to identify the trees based on the leaf samples that were collected.

e. All data that we collect will be posted in a data sheet.

f. We plan to have all measurements and observations made by October 22. We would also like to have all research and background information by October 22.

IV. Results

To best display our data, we will use graphs. We will have graphs displaying: types of trees
Size of tents
Effects
Location in tree
Size of tree – we will use statview to determine the relationships of tree size and tent size
V. Discussion and Conclusions

Sources:

1. Evolution of popular tentmaker defoliation and survival of older cottonwood plantations -Solomon J.D.

2. The Tent Caterpillars
- Fitzgerald, Terence D.

3. National Audubon Society Field Guide to the North American Insects and Spiders - Milne and Milne

4. A Guide to Field Identification Trees of North America
- Brockman/Merrilees

5. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees
- Little, Ebert

6. Bug -Nancy Parker and Joan Wright

7. Insects - Ellen Doris

8. Studies in the theory of descent -August Weismann

9. A Colour- polymorphism in caterpillars of Bupalus piniarus -Den Boer

10. http://willowncfes.umnh.edu/pa-ftc/ftc.html

11. http:www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/burgreview/eastententcat.html

12. http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/factsheets/eastcatp.html

Five Additional Questions

1. What are the tents made of?
2. What types of caterpillars build these tents?
3. How long do these caterpillars live? What is there life cycle?
4. What are the day-to-day habits of these caterpillars?
5. What are previous know effects caused to the trees?
6. Where can tent caterpillars be found through out the United States?
7. Are the tent caterpillars indigenous?

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