1997 - Forest Tent Caterpillars at Sundance Beach
“…the one that invade Sundance Beach, follow a natural cycle of six to seven years. They are migratory and lives off the leaves of the white poplar (aspen) trees…These creatures have visited our beach several times. They first become noticeable in early June as blobs high up on aspen trees…After we were invaded by tent caterpillars three years in a row, I became inquisitive and opened over 100 cocoons in each of the three years. I found the following:
Many of the pupae - 80% were well and ready to fly away
7% had died because a fly, known as the flesh fly, had laid eggs on the back of the larvae. When the egg hatched the young larvae consumed the flesh of the pupae and killed it.
Same as above, except we substituted ichneumon fly for flesh fly.
The pupae were dead and secreting fluids. I judged that a virus caused this. The Federal Forestry Branch in Edmonton confirmed my diagnosis.”
Excerpt by Phyllis Falkenberg, from “The History of Sundance Beach at Pigeon Lake” Compiled by Nadia Halkier.
