In the spring, there were several reports of sudden defoliation of oak, hickory, and maple trees in north Alabama. The pest causing such destruction on these deciduous trees was the linden looper (Erannis tiliaria). For the third consecutive year, this defoliator has appeared in drastic numbers. This native insect of the Geometridae family was identified in Dekalb, Blount, Shelby, and Perry counties. Insects from this family are considered the most destructive foliage-feeding pests of North America,devouring leaves from many deciduous trees such as linden, apple, birch, elm, hickory, maple, and oak. Appearing in cycles, the linden looper is generally present in high numbers for two to three consecutive years, and then their numbers suddenly drop. The insect seemingly disappears for five to eight years. During a heightened linden looper infestation, natural predators such as parasitic flies and wasps help decrease the population significantly. Many bird species also prey on the insect.
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