Tent caterpillars invade area

Linda P.
06/11/2009 10:30 PM

Glad to see this article as the Alex area has been invaded on a large scale by the forest tent caterpillars this year. Being a coordinator for an area lake, I researched the FTC. They are not the same as the armyworm, although many refer to them as such. Armyworms are a pest of grasses, small grain crops and corn in North Dakota. FTC munch mostly on Basswood and Oak trees in central Minnesota. The noise that sounds like rain is actually insect frass (excrement) falling down from above! I also learned that during an outbreak there can be any where from one to four million caterpillars per acre! The aerial sprayer we hired said he used 16 barrels this year in Alex and the surrounding areas. One barrel contains enough insecticide to spray 240 acres. They used the Bt product your article mentioned. Like you stated, it only kills them while they're little and still eating. The MN DNR has many tips to kill them after that stage as you reported. They also suggest that because FTC moths are attracted to lights during early July, turning out your yard and exterior lights may reduce egg-laying on your trees and thus reduce next year's population. Yes, they are cyclic, unfortunately I think someone forgot to tell them. They seem to get worse every year!

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Jack A.
Miltona, MN     06/10/2009 6:24 PM

Al G's comment would seem to assume that 60% (or more because under any circumstance, there would not be a total loss of a variety) of our trees are ash trees. I don't THINK so!

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Al G.
Garfield, MN     06/10/2009 8:57 AM

I've heard that Alex has the potential to lose 60% of their trees to the Emerald Ash Borer.

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