Age-Specific Host Utilization in the Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)

Larval growth and survival of the eastern tent caterpillar, Malacosoma americana F., was assessed on its preferred host, black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrhart), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), hackberry (Celtis occidentalis L.), white oak (Quercus alba L.), and white pine (Pinus strobus L.), and on the herbaceous biennial poison hemlock (Conium maculatum L.). Larvae grew largest and had the greatest pupation and survival rates when fed black cherry and white oak. They did not grow well on black locust or white pine, but survival rates were relatively high, suggesting that both plant species could potentially serve to sustain tent caterpillar populations. Growth and survival was so low on hackberry and poison hemlock that they pose little chance of sustaining outbreaking caterpillar populations.