Abstract
The objective of our lab is to determine the relationship of silk tents built by tent caterpillars to the type and size of trees they are located in. In order to do this, we will measure the width, height, and length of the silk nest, along with documenting the type of trees they are located in. We will also observe the tent’s location in the tree (outer or inner limbs). Data will not only be collected individually, but also through class participation on October 28. From these observations, we will make a conclusion about their correlation.
Introduction
The purpose of this lab is to determine the relationship of silk tents to the size and type of tree in which they are located. Our hypothesis is that the larger the tree, the larger the size of the silk tent in the tree. We have also hypothesized that the tents will be more prevalent in smaller trees such as choke cherry and elm trees.
We chose to develop this lab because we have all been curious to learn how and why these tents are built. We had several basic questions we were interested in, which made finding one detailed question difficult.
Tent caterpillars are present through much of the eastern and midwestern United States.(Milne, 1980) They are of the family Lasiocampidae and of the order Lepidoptera.(TentCaterpillars, Microsoft Encarta) The caterpillars are hairy, black, have a white stripe, and have blue spots. In the late fall, eggs are laid by adult moths. The eggstate is then spent through the winter in nests woven on small limbs of tress. Each spring, these caterpillars hatch and proceed to spin a silk web on the limbs and branches of trees. These webs form a protected nest where the caterpillars live communally and are sheltered at night. During the day, the caterpillars leave their nest in search of food. Food is most often the foliage of the host tree. Tent caterpillars can be found in a large variety of trees. The most prevelant trees include: black cherry, choke cherry, apple, and other flowering fruit trees. (http://www.ext.vt.edu) Tents may also be found in hard wood trees such as maple and oak.
Late in the spring, the tent caterpillars spin a cocoon. By early July, adult moths emerge. From there, the cycle of mating and egg laying continues.
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 feel that this topic will interest many people in addition to ourselves.
Relevance
Much research has been done on tent caterpillars. Many people have studied the effects these caterpillars have on the trees in which they construct their tents. The defoliating damage done to trees has most often been studied. The caterpillars can cause much stress to young trees by eating the buds. With a large enough number of caterpillars and consecutive years of damage, trees may even be stressed beyond the point of survival. (http:www.urbanext.uiuc.edu) The most effective way of exterminating the caterpillars, is by removing their nest from the tree. Removal should occur either in the evening after the caterpillars have returned from feeding, or on cool, cloudy days. It is recommended that the limb be cut from the tree and then burned to kill the caterpillars. (http:www.ext.vt.edu) Researchers have found that pesticides are very ineffective in exterminating the caterpillars.
Further research in the area of caterpillars may help farmers, tree nurseries, and even the common person to help protect their trees from the harms of tent caterpillars.
Materials and Methods
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 the tents are, and where the tents are placed in regards to the tree. To collect data, we will walk around parts of campus looking for the silk tents. To add a greater variety of samples, each group member will also take measurements of tents from their home town.
When a tent is located, measurements of it’s length, width, and height will be taken. These measurements will be found with the use of a tape measure. In addition, we will record where the tent is located in the tree (outer/inner limbs). By the location on outer/inner limbs we mean whether the tent is on the exterior portion of the limbs or closer to the central trunk area. We will also collect a leaf from each tree a tent is located in. The leaves will help to identify the type of tree the tents are located in, with the aid of a tree identification book. All data that we collect will be posted in a data sheet.
To insure statistically sound data, we will collect at least thirty measurements from campus, and each member’s hometown. By collecting a large sample, we will reduce the bias of the results. Data will be collected both during the class lab day, and individually by our group.
Before leaving the classroom to gather data with the aid of the class, we will give a brief explanation of the process. The class will then be divided into two groups. One group will go to Pfeffer Park and the second group will travel to East Quad. Each group will measure the length, width and height, observe the position, and take a sample leaf from each tree. After data has been collected, we will have some students help to identify the trees based on the leaf samples that were collected.
We plan to have all measurements and observations made by October 22. On October 28, we will complete our class participation section of the lab. We would also like to have all additional research and background information by November 4.
Results
To best display our data, we will use graphs and charts. We will have graphs displaying the correlations between:
Types of trees
Size of tents
Location in tree
Size of tree
We will use statview to determine the relationships of:
** type of tree to the size of the tent
** relationship of tree size to tent size
**most prevalent trees.
Sources:
1. Solomon, J.D. Evolution of Popular Tentmaker Defoliation on Growth and Survival of Older Cottonwood Plantations . New Orleans: 1993.
2. Fitzgerald, Terence D. The Tent Caterpillars. Ithaca: Comstock
Publication Association, 1995.
3. Milne, Lorus, and Milne, Margery. National Audubon Society Field Guide
to the North American Insects and Spiders. New York: Alfred A. Knopf Inc., 1980.
4. Brockman, C. Frank. A Guide to Field Identification Trees of North
America. NewYork: Golden Press, 1979.
5. Little, Ebert L. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American
Trees. New York: Alfred A Knopf Inc., 1980.
6. “Tent Caterpillars, ” Microsoft Encarta 98 Encyclopedia. Microsoft Corporation: 1993-1997.
7. http://willowncfes.umnh.edu/pa-ftc/ftc.html
8. http:www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/burgreview/eastententcat.html
9. http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/factsheets/eastcatp
.html
Additional Questions/Information:
1. What are the tents made of?
* The tents are made of a silk like material.
2. What types of caterpillars build these tents?
*The caterpillars are of the family Lasiocamidae. They are hairy, black, have a white strip, and blue spots.
3. How long do these caterpillars live? What is there life cycle?
* The caterpillars hatch in early spring. Their life cycle begins their. By late June to early July, they spin a cocoon. In about three weeks, adult moths emerge from these cocoons. The moths then breed. After breeding, the females lay eggs on small twigs and limbs. It is there that the eggs remain over the winter months until hatching in the spring.
4. What are the day-to-day habits of these caterpillars?
* After hatching in the spring, the caterpillars build their silk nests on tree limbs. Within these nests they live communally. Daily they venture out for food during the midday, and then return in the evenings. This routine lasts for four to six weeks, when they will then spin their cocoons.
5. What are previous know effects caused to the trees?
*Studies on the effects tent caterpillars have on trees manly focuses on defoliation. When the caterpillars venture out during the day, they most commonly eat the leaves and buds of the host tree. Although there is not always significant damage, caterpillars can cause severe stress to some trees. Extreme stress can lead to the death of the trees.
6. Where can tent caterpillars be found through out the United States?
* Tent caterpillars can be found through much of the Midwestern and eastern areas of the United States.
7. Are the tent caterpillars indigenous?
*Yes, tent caterpillars are indigenous to the Ohio Valley region.
Type of Tree Width of Tent Height of Tent Length of Tent Location
(inches) (inches) (inches) (outer/inner)
Sour Cherry 2 6 5 outer
European Linden 9 72 7 inner
Choke Cherry 7 12 17 outer
Choke Cherry 5 14 16 inner
Elm 8 25 18 outer
Elm 10 28 24 inner
Maple 9 8 7 outer
Oak 6 11 13 inner
1
Choke Cherry 11 14 19 outer
Choke Cherry 4 8 10 outer
Maple 24 12 18 outer
Oak 13 26 17 outer
Choke Cherry 8 11 6 inner
European Linden 4 30 11 outer
Tent Caterpillars
Matt Bryant, Kelsi Billingham, Shannon Fleming, Katie Martinek, Ervin Perviz
Abstract
The objective of our lab is to determine the relationship of silk tents built by tent caterpillars to the type and size of trees they are located in. In order to do this, we will measure the width, height, and length of the silk nest, along with documenting the type of trees they are located in. We will also observe the tent’s location in the tree (outer or inner limbs). Data will not only be collected individually, but also through class participation on October 28. From these observations, we will make a conclusion about their correlation.
Introduction
The purpose of this lab is to determine the relationship of silk tents to the size and type of tree in which they are located. Our hypothesis is that the larger the tree, the larger the size of the silk tent in the tree. We have also hypothesized that the tents will be more prevalent in smaller trees such as choke cherry and elm trees.
We chose to develop this lab because we have all been curious to learn how and why these tents are built. We had several basic questions we were interested in, which made finding one detailed question difficult.
Tent caterpillars are present through much of the eastern and midwestern United States.(Milne, 1980) They are of the family Lasiocampidae and of the order Lepidoptera.(TentCaterpillars, Microsoft Encarta) The caterpillars are hairy, black, have a white stripe, and have blue spots. In the late fall, eggs are laid by adult moths. The eggstate is then spent through the winter in nests woven on small limbs of tress. Each spring, these caterpillars hatch and proceed to spin a silk web on the limbs and branches of trees. These webs form a protected nest where the caterpillars live communally and are sheltered at night. During the day, the caterpillars leave their nest in search of food. Food is most often the foliage of the host tree. Tent caterpillars can be found in a large variety of trees. The most prevelant trees include: black cherry, choke cherry, apple, and other flowering fruit trees. (http://www.ext.vt.edu) Tents may also be found in hard wood trees such as maple and oak.
Late in the spring, the tent caterpillars spin a cocoon. By early July, adult moths emerge. From there, the cycle of mating and egg laying continues.
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 feel that this topic will interest many people in addition to ourselves.
Relevance
Much research has been done on tent caterpillars. Many people have studied the effects these caterpillars have on the trees in which they construct their tents. The defoliating damage done to trees has most often been studied. The caterpillars can cause much stress to young trees by eating the buds. With a large enough number of caterpillars and consecutive years of damage, trees may even be stressed beyond the point of survival. (http:www.urbanext.uiuc.edu) The most effective way of exterminating the caterpillars, is by removing their nest from the tree. Removal should occur either in the evening after the caterpillars have returned from feeding, or on cool, cloudy days. It is recommended that the limb be cut from the tree and then burned to kill the caterpillars. (http:www.ext.vt.edu) Researchers have found that pesticides are very ineffective in exterminating the caterpillars.
Further research in the area of caterpillars may help farmers, tree nurseries, and even the common person to help protect their trees from the harms of tent caterpillars.
Materials and Methods
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 the tents are, and where the tents are placed in regards to the tree. To collect data, we will walk around parts of campus looking for the silk tents. To add a greater variety of samples, each group member will also take measurements of tents from their home town.
When a tent is located, measurements of it’s length, width, and height will be taken. These measurements will be found with the use of a tape measure. In addition, we will record where the tent is located in the tree (outer/inner limbs). By the location on outer/inner limbs we mean whether the tent is on the exterior portion of the limbs or closer to the central trunk area. We will also collect a leaf from each tree a tent is located in. The leaves will help to identify the type of tree the tents are located in, with the aid of a tree identification book. All data that we collect will be posted in a data sheet.
To insure statistically sound data, we will collect at least thirty measurements from campus, and each member’s hometown. By collecting a large sample, we will reduce the bias of the results. Data will be collected both during the class lab day, and individually by our group.
Before leaving the classroom to gather data with the aid of the class, we will give a brief explanation of the process. The class will then be divided into two groups. One group will go to Pfeffer Park and the second group will travel to East Quad. Each group will measure the length, width and height, observe the position, and take a sample leaf from each tree. After data has been collected, we will have some students help to identify the trees based on the leaf samples that were collected.
We plan to have all measurements and observations made by October 22. On October 28, we will complete our class participation section of the lab. We would also like to have all additional research and background information by November 4.
Results
To best display our data, we will use graphs and charts. We will have graphs displaying the correlations between:
Types of trees
Size of tents
Location in tree
Size of tree
We will use statview to determine the relationships of:
** type of tree to the size of the tent
** relationship of tree size to tent size
**most prevalent trees.
Sources:
1. Solomon, J.D. Evolution of Popular Tentmaker Defoliation on Growth and Survival of Older Cottonwood Plantations . New Orleans: 1993.
2. Fitzgerald, Terence D. The Tent Caterpillars. Ithaca: Comstock
Publication Association, 1995.
3. Milne, Lorus, and Milne, Margery. National Audubon Society Field Guide
to the North American Insects and Spiders. New York: Alfred A. Knopf Inc., 1980.
4. Brockman, C. Frank. A Guide to Field Identification Trees of North
America. NewYork: Golden Press, 1979.
5. Little, Ebert L. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American
Trees. New York: Alfred A Knopf Inc., 1980.
6. “Tent Caterpillars, ” Microsoft Encarta 98 Encyclopedia. Microsoft Corporation: 1993-1997.
7. http://willowncfes.umnh.edu/pa-ftc/ftc.html
8. http:www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/burgreview/eastententcat.html
9. http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/factsheets/eastcatp
.html
Additional Questions/Information:
1. What are the tents made of?
* The tents are made of a silk like material.
2. What types of caterpillars build these tents?
*The caterpillars are of the family Lasiocamidae. They are hairy, black, have a white strip, and blue spots.
3. How long do these caterpillars live? What is there life cycle?
* The caterpillars hatch in early spring. Their life cycle begins their. By late June to early July, they spin a cocoon. In about three weeks, adult moths emerge from these cocoons. The moths then breed. After breeding, the females lay eggs on small twigs and limbs. It is there that the eggs remain over the winter months until hatching in the spring.
4. What are the day-to-day habits of these caterpillars?
* After hatching in the spring, the caterpillars build their silk nests on tree limbs. Within these nests they live communally. Daily they venture out for food during the midday, and then return in the evenings. This routine lasts for four to six weeks, when they will then spin their cocoons.
5. What are previous know effects caused to the trees?
*Studies on the effects tent caterpillars have on trees manly focuses on defoliation. When the caterpillars venture out during the day, they most commonly eat the leaves and buds of the host tree. Although there is not always significant damage, caterpillars can cause severe stress to some trees. Extreme stress can lead to the death of the trees.
6. Where can tent caterpillars be found through out the United States?
* Tent caterpillars can be found through much of the Midwestern and eastern areas of the United States.
7. Are the tent caterpillars indigenous?
*Yes, tent caterpillars are indigenous to the Ohio Valley region.
Type of Tree Width of Tent Height of Tent Length of Tent Location
(inches) (inches) (inches) (outer/inner)
Sour Cherry 2 6 5 outer
European Linden 9 72 7 inner
Choke Cherry 7 12 17 outer
Choke Cherry 5 14 16 inner
Elm 8 25 18 outer
Elm 10 28 24 inner
Maple 9 8 7 outer
Oak 6 11 13 inner
1
Choke Cherry 11 14 19 outer
Choke Cherry 4 8 10 outer
Maple 24 12 18 outer
Oak 13 26 17 outer
Choke Cherry 8 11 6 inner
European Linden 4 30 11 outer
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