REPOET

OF THE

STATE BOARD OF AGKICULTUKE

OX THE WORK OF

EXTERMINATION OF THE
GYPSY MOTH.

JANUARY, 1897.

BOSTON :

WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,

18 POST OFFICE SQUARE.

1897.

548
M 313

REPORT

OF THE

STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE

ON THE WORK OP

EXTERMINATION OF THE
GYPSY MOTH.

JANUARY, 1897.

BOSTON :

WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS,

18 POST OI-TICE So.r.\i:i:.

18(J7.

PLATE I

7

Drawn by Josepk Bridgham .

Geo.HWalker

GYPSY MOTH.

An Explanation of Plato I, with a Short Description of the
Different Forms of the Gypsy Moth and its Feeding
Habits.

THE EGGS.
[Fig. 8, cluster of egg8 on bark ; Figs. 9 and 10, eggs magnified.]

The, eggs are deposited in clusters, averaging about five hundred
,.„•„•< ,-ach, aiul covered with yellow hairs from the body of the female
ninth. These egg-flusters are usually found in sheltered places on the
bark or in the crevices and cavities of trees, stumps and undergrowth ;
:;!M> on fences find buildings and in the crevices of stone walls and
other objects, near the plants or trees on which the insect feeds. The

_- are laid in July, August and September, and hatch after the
f- 1 i:\ge >tarts in the late spring or early summer of the ensuing year;
therefore the insect passes the fall, winter and early spring in the egg.

THE LARVA OK CATERPILLAR,

[Figs. 6 and 7.]

"\Vheu first hatched the caterpillars are less than one-fifth of an inch
in length. As they grow larger they may be seen in clusters upon the
trunks and branches of trees or in the cavities and other hiding places
where they gather in June, July and the first part of August.

THE PUPA.

[Fig. 5.]

The caterpillar when fully grown sheds its outer covering and be-
comes a pupa or chrysalis. This usually occurs in July or August.
The pupa may be found in the same situations as the eggs. In j\Ias>a-
ehn-'its the. insect usually remains in the pupal state from ten to
thirteen days, emerging as a moth at the end of that period.

THE MOTH.

[Figs. 1 and 2, female ; Figs. 3 and 4, male.]

The female moth usually deposits her eggs very near the abandoned
pupa ea-e, and within a few hours after emerging from it. She dies
soon after. The male is a rapid flyer. The female does not fly.

HAHITS OK THE (."ATr.Kl'ILI.AKS.

The gypsy moth feeds only when in the larval or caterpillar state.
In Ma-.-aelmM'tts the eggs of the gypsy moth begin hatching about
April 20, and the young continue to emerge until the middle of June.
The length of larval life varie< -ome\\ -hnt according to circumstances,
but probably averages ten weeks ; therefore the feeding season in this
country la.-t.s about four months. When the caterpillars are first

EXPLANATION OF PLATE.

hatched from the eggs they are light in color and covered with whitish
hairs. In a few hours they assume a dark hue. They usually remain
on or near the egg-cluster until they change in color, and should the
weather be cold they sometimes remain for several days in a semi-
torpid condition upon the egg-cluster. If the temperature is favorable
they usually search for food before they are twenty-four hours old.
During the first few weeks of their existence they remain most of the
time on the leaves, feeding mainly on the under side. Their feeding
lial >its are so uncertain that no rule can be given which will apply to all
individuals, but before they are half-grown they generally begin to
manifest their gregarious instincts. At that time and for the rest
of their existence as caterpillars (hey spend a large part of the day
clustered in sheltered situations, and feed principally at night, going up
the frees and out on the branches after dark and returning before day-
break. Where they are so abundant that the food supply is insufficient
they evince much restlessness, and feed in numbers during all hours of
the day and night. They may then be seen hastening to and fro, both
up and down the trees. Those which have fed sufficiently are at once
replaced !iy hungry new-comers, and the destruction of the foliage goes
on incessantly.

At such times the trunks and lower branches of trees are covered
with a moving mass of caterpillars, hurrying throngs are passing and
ivpassing, and nearly every leaf or denuded stern bears up one or more
of the feeding insects. The rustling caused by their movements and
the continual dropping of excrements is plainly audible. On tall trees
the larger caterpillars appear to crawl to the higher limbs, and they
seem to prefer to feed well out toward the end of the branches. They do
not feed gregariously except when in great numbers ; therefore they
seldom strip one branch, as do the larvce of the Euvanessa antiopa, but
scatter throughout the trees, eating a little from each leaf. Early in
the season, when they are small and few in numbers, their ravages are
scarcely noticed : but as they grow larger and more numerous, their
inroads on the tree decrease the foliage area night by night, until sud-
denly all the remaining leaves are eaten, and the tree is stripped in a

single night.

FOOD PLANTS.

The gypsy moth is known to destroy the foliage of nearly all native
and introduced trees and plants of economic importance. The list of
its food plants includes nearly all evergreen and deciduous trees, most
bushes, shrubs, vines and vegetables and it has been seen to eat grass
and grain. Wherever the caterpillars become numerous they move
slowly, devouring nearly every green leaf and bud as they go. They
feed during a much longer season than the canker worm or the tent
caterpillar. In the months of June, July and August, 1891, trees which
had been stripped early in the season and whose leaves had again put
out were again defoliated by these caterpillars and kept bare all sum-
mer ; therefore not only was all prospect of a fruit harvest destroyed,
but many trees were killed by this continual defoliation.

Cammantocaltly 0f

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth oj

Massachusetts.

I have the honor to present herewith to the General Court
the report of the committee of the State Board of Agricult-
ure in charge of the gypsy moth work to said Board, and
the reports of the director of field work and the entomologist
to said committee, as the report of the State Board of Agri-
culture on the extermination of the gypsy moth ; the state-
ment of receipts and expenditures and the recommendations
and suggestions contained in said reports being adopted by
said Board and presented in accordance with the provisions
of chapter 210, Acts of 1891, as their recommendations and
suirirestions.

«~. «^

WM. R. SESSIONS,

Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture.
BOSTON, Jan. 1, 1897.

.

± ^ %-v

LIBRARY
\fr <•> • ^

0f

To (he Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture.

The committee in charge of the gypsy moth work, com-
mitted to the Board of Agriculture by the Legislature,
herewith presents the report of expenditures and of work
performed for the year 1896.

On the first of January, 1896, there remained unexpended,
of the appropriation of 1895, $39,722.09. This was retained
with the expectation that the sum would be sufficient to
maintain the reduced force of 121 men to continue such work
as could be done during suitable winter weather until the
Legislature should make an appropriation for the season's
work. In January, February and the first half of March
much effective work was done in the way of destroying the
eggs of the moth upon the trees, cutting and burning worth-
less, decayed, infested trees and underbrush, and preparing
infested localities for the summer's work. As the season
wore on and most of the appropriation became exhausted, it
was found necessary to further reduce the number of men
employed, thus greatly handicapping the effectiveness of the
work.

The Board of Agriculture had unanimously adopted and
approved the report of the gypsy moth committee, recom-
mending to the Legislature an appropriation of $200,000.
The Board had also adopted resolutions, unanimously recom-
mending that whatever appropriation, if any, the Legislature
saw fit to grant, should be promptly forthcoming, as the
work had in the past been hindered nearly as much by delay
as by reduction of the appropriations. The committee re-
ported to the Legislature on the work of the season of 1895,
placing the report in the hands of the clerk of the Senate!
on the first day of the session. The report was thus pre-

6 THE GYPSY MOTH.

sented at the first available opportunity, ten days in advance
of the time required by law, so that the Legislature might
have every opportunity for the most speedy action.

In March, the appropriation of 1895 being exhausted, and
the Legislature having taken no action, most of the men
were discharged. This delay was a repetition of the expe-
rience of past seasons, except that the loss of time was
greater. This lapse of the spring work was unfortunate in
the last degree, and was productive of most serious results.

An emergency appropriation of $10,000, to continue the
work until the Legislature should provide for the work of
the season, was finally granted, and became available April
28. AVith this amount good work was done during the
month of May, in burning over the ground in infested locali-
ties in the woods, thereby destroying the moth eggs con-
cealed upon the ground or near it, and putting much of the
territory into such condition that little damage was done by
the moth (luring the season. In several of these places no
caterpillars have since appeared. This appropriation was
not sufficient, however, to do one-half of the work that was
absolutely necessary at that time, and many large colonies
in forested land, in the inner towns, were necessarily neg-
lected. There the caterpillars hatched and later in the sea-
son became very destructive. The appropriation of $90,000
for the work of the season, less than one-half the sum rec-
ommended by the Board, finally became available June 4.
It was then too late to carry out the plans made for the
season's work. This delay, together with the small amount
of the appropriation, necessitated a complete change in those
plans. Moreover, extra work was made necessary by the
hatching of the eggs, which it had been planned to destroy
in the spring had the appropriation been available at that
time. Burlap was purchased and applied as quickly as pos-
sible to the trees in all of the outer towns of the infested
region, and in Everett, which had been necessarily somewhat
neglected the previous year. Before the burlap had all been
put on in these towns the caterpillars had begun to cluster.
In order to do the necessary wrork it was imperative to in-
crease largely the force of men at once, and to put all hands
at work killing caterpillars under the burlaps in the outer

TIIK (iVl'SV MOTH. 7

towns. Whilr this was being done, the woodland in the
innt'i1 to\\ us was necessarily neglected, with the result that
in plaees where no egg-killing had been done earlier in the
season, owing to the exhaustion of the appropriation, the
caterpillars were doing niueh damage and were also spread-
ing ever more territorv.

c^ «

The small amount of the appropriation would not admit
of exterininative work all over the infested territorv, and,
in order to prevent the moth from spreading into ne\v terri-
tory, outside the towns already infested, the outer towns
have been closely attended to throughout the season. The
condition in these towns is encouraging. Most of the
colonies in the outer towns are apparently exterminated and
the spread of the moth into new territory has been pre-
vented. We have, however, to report that two colonies
have been found in Brookliue, a town adjoining the boundary
of the infested territory as heretofore reported. The dis-
covery of the moth in Brookline in 1896 is not to be taken
in any sen<e as indicating that the insect has spread into that
town from older infested territory since the committee's last
report, or within a year. The two colonies are not newly
established, but are several }rears old ; and, had the com-
mittee had sufficient means to carry out their plan inaugu-
rated several years since, viz., to carefully examine all towns
contiguous to the outermost infested towns, both these
colonies would have been found before. This examination
has been pursued from year to }Tear as means could be spared
from the work in known infested territory, and Bro.okline
has this vear had its first thorough examination. This work

*/

has been repeatedly reported as necessary, and lack of means
only had prevented its being done in Brookline previous to
1896. An effort has been made during the season to stamp
out these colonies, but considerable work will need to be
expended on them the coming year.

Every effort warranted by the amount of money available
has been made to prevent injury by the moth in the central
infested towns, and as far as possible to prevent an increase
in the number of the moths. This effort has been successful
in the inhabited and cultivated territory. The same cannot
be said of the woodland, of which we have heretofore re-

THE GYPSY MOTH.

ported that there were not less than fifty square miles.
In several places in the woodland the trees were entirely
stripped of foliage and in some oases the second crop of
leaves was eaten. Where the trees have been stripped two
years in succession we find that many of them are dying.
This condition was not unexpected by the committee. For-
mer reports have from year to year shown that the woodland
was the most serious menace to possible extermination and
that it was likely to be found infested in many places.

The committee has each year warned the Legislature
that with reduced appropriations this woodland could not
be attended to and must remain a breeding-place for the
moths, from which they would be likely to spread into
adjoining territory; and that, even if the cultivated land
adjacent to these woodlands was cleared of the moth, it was
still liable to become reinvested. In no year since 1892
has the committee had an opportunity to carry out the plans
made for the work of the following season. In 1893 the
committee asked for $165,000; only $100,000 was appro-
priated. In 1894 8165,000 was asked; $100,000 was ap-
propriated. In 1895 $200,000 was asked; $150,000 was
appropriated. In 1896 $200,000 was asked ; $100,000 was
appropriated. An examination of the reports will show that
these sums were granted after long delays, so late in the
season that it was impossible to use the reduced amount to
the best advantage. The result is that extermination can
now only be accomplished by the expenditure of a sum very
much larger than might in the opinion of the committee
have been sufficient had the recommendations of former re-
ports been followed. The committee feels certain that an
annual appropriation of $100,000 will not accomplish ex-
termination, and it is doubtful whether that sum annually
expended will prevent the moth from spreading into new
territory unless it is promptly made available, so that every
possible advantage may be taken of good weather and other
favorable conditions to prosecute the work economically.

The committee is on record in former reports as believing
that the only sure way to prevent the moth from spreading
into new country is to do everything possible in every in-
fested locality to completely eradicate the pest. This is

TIIK (jvpsv MOTH. o

still (lit1 unanimous opinion of the committee. To carry out
this plan the committee recommends the appropriation of
s^OO, 000 for the work of 1SJI7. As the appropriation for
1M!H! is almost exhausted, in order to continue the work
economically it will In- necessary that a part at least of the
appropriation be made immediately available; otherwise,
the present force of trained and experienced employees must
lie discharged at once, and the very important work that can
l»e done only before the caterpillars hatch out w7ill again be
left undone. Leaving this work undone will put the work
of the whole season at a great disadvantage, and in part
undo the work of the last five years. The committee has,
in former years, sought advice of the eminent economic
entomologists of the country, and are warranted in stating
that the i »resent methods of wrork are approved by all those
economic entomologists who have had an opportunity to
become familiar with them.

The effort of Massachusetts to exterminate this pest has
attracted wide attention among the economic entomologists
of the country, and with one accord they advise a continu-
ance of the work. At the last annual meeting of the Asso-
ciation of Economic Entomologists, held at Buffalo, Aug. 22,
189G, after thorough discussion, a resolve was unanimously
passed, commending the work already accomplished and urg-
ing its continuance.

o

At the National Farmers' Congress, held at Indianapolis,
Ind., Nov. 10, 11 and 12, 1896, the matter wras considered,
and the following resolution was adopted : —

Resolved, That the Farmers' National Congress views with alarm
the ravages made by the gypsy moth upon the trees and foliage in
the Ne\v England States,* and petitions the Congress of the United
States to cause an investigation of the subject to be made, and
to take such measures for the extermination of the pest as may
set'in wise, ;is its spread over the country would prove a national
calamity.

The experimental work has been continued in charge of
Mr. A. II. Kirkland, assistant entomologist to the committee,

* This is an error, as the gypsy moth in this country is confined to a small area
in eastern Massachusetts.

10 THE GYPSY MOTH.

under the direction of Prof. C. H. Fernald. Particular at-
tention has been given to the investigation of various forms
of poison, with a view to discovering an insecticide that will
be more effectual in destroying the gypsy moth caterpillars
than those poisons heretofore in general use. Considerable
success has attended these experiments, and insecticides have
been perfected that promise to be of great value in future
work. Much work has also been done in seeking for and
encouraging native parasites that prey upon the gypsy moth,
and in studying their life history, with the hope that some-
thing more may be found that will give effectual aid in
destroying the pest.

For details of the work of the past year, reference is made
to the reports of Prof. C. H. Fernald, entomologist, and E. H.
Forbush, director, presented herewith as a part of the report
of the committee.

The committee desires to put on record here its obligation
to Prof. C. H. Fernald and Mr. E. H. Forbush for the emi-
nently satisfactory manner in which they have discharged the
onerous duties devolving upon them in conducting the work
which the Legislature has entrusted to the committee of the
Board of Agriculture.

o

The following is the financial report of the gypsy moth
committee of the State Board of Agriculture for the year

1896: -

Financial Report for 1896.

Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1896, $39,722 09

Emergency appropriation, April 28, 1896, . $10,000 00

Appropriation June 4, 1896, . . 90,000 00

100,000 00

$139,722 09
Expenditures.

Wni R Sessions, expenses, .... $16 37

Augustus Pratt, expenses, .... 85 05

E. W. Wood, expenses 22 07

John G Avery, expenses, .... 145 95

F. W. Sargent, expenses, .... 59 94
S. S. Stetson expenses, .... 57 50
C. H. Fernald, expenses and remuneration, . 655 65

Amount carried forward, , , . $1,04253

T11K GYPSY MOTIT. 11

Amount broiujht for/rnrd, . . . $1,04253

E H. Forbush, director, salary, . . . 2,400 00

Travelling expenses of director and men, , 4,7'.>:'> .",r,

Teaming, liveiy and board of horses, . . 3,13222

Wages of employees, 104,975 87

Rent of storehouse and office, . . . 4G6 50

Supplies, tool-, insi'ctiridt's, etc., . . . 14,0t>l .~i(!

Balance oil hand Jau. 1, 1897, . . . 8,849 s;>

$139,722 09

E. W. WOOD,
S. S. STETSON,
JOHN G. AVERT,
AUGUSTUS PRATT,

F. W. SARGENT,
WM. R, SESSIONS,

Committee of the Board of Agriculture in
Charge of the Qyi^sy Moth Work.

12 THE GYPSY MOTH.

REPORT or THE ENTOMOLOGIST.

To the Committee on the Gypsy Moth.

GENTLEMEN: — During the past year all has been accom-
plished towards the extermination of the gypsy moth that
could possibly be done, or that could have been expected
with the small amount appropriated by the last Legislature.
For several years past the appropriations asked for this
work have been cut down from one-fourth to one-half, but
no change has been made in the law which requires the com-
mittee to work for the extermination of this insect.

There is no question but that the gypsy moth is one of
the most destructive and expensive pests that could have
been brought into this country, and only the most active
and vigorous measures are of any avail against it. It is
claimed, by some who have little or no knowledge of the
matter, that it is not possible to exterminate this insect ;
but I do not know of any economic entomologist, who has
made a thorough, personal investigation of the work, who
does not believe that extermination is possible if the Legis-
lature appropriates sufficiently large sums of money, making
them available when needed in the work.

At the last meeting of the Association of Economic Ento-
mologists, held in Buffalo, N. Y., Aug. 22, 1890, after a
full discussion of the work on the gypsy moth, the following
resolutions were presented by Dr. John B. Smith, professor
of entomology in Rutgers College and entomologist to the
New Jersey State Agricultural College Experiment Station,
and unanimously adopted : —

Resolved, That in the opinion of this association the work done
by the gypsy moth committee in Massachusetts is of the utmost
importance and value, not only to that State but to all the sur-
rounding States and to the country at large.

A view in the Lynn woods showing how the Gypsy Moth strips
nearly all trees and plants. Many of these trees are

now dead or dying. (See page 40.)
From a photograph taken July 1O, 1896.

Tin: GYPSY MOTH. 13

Resolved, Thai in our opinion the cessation of the work of that
committee would be a national misfortune, and a failure on the
part of the State of Massachusetts to continue it would be a
calamity which would involve immense loss to the people of that
State and of the entire country.

Rexnlrfil. That we have full confidence in the ability of the
otiiceix now in charge of the work of this commission, as evi-
denced by the report recently issued, which contains not only
matter of extreme importance to the economic entomologist, but
of the highest value to the farmer and fruit grower.

AYhile the gypsy moth has not spread over the State at
large, all reports to the contrary notwithstanding, it has,
nevertheless, become so thoroughly established in its present
definitely bounded district in the eastern part of this Com-
monwealth that it will be no slight task to exterminate it or
even hold it in check. The State can adopt one of three
courses : —

First. It can continue the policy of extermination, which
would require large appropriations for a term of years.

Second. It can change the law, which now requires the
committee to work for extermination, and adopt the policy
of holding the insect in check. This would require a per-
petual annual appropriation.

Third. It can abandon the work entirely. This would
leave it for the cities, towns and individuals to deal with
the pest.

It is for the Legislature to decide which will be the best
and wisest policy for this Commonwealth. If the first course
is adopted, there will be required an appropriation of not
less ihan $200,000 a year for a term of not less than five
years, and then an appropriation of not less than $100,000 a
year for a term of not less than five years. After this an
appropriation of perhaps $15,000 a year for a period of five
years will be required. The sura total of all these appro-
priations for fifteen years is $1,575,000, or an average of
si 05, 000 a year. A man with taxable property to the
amount of s5,000, which is a little more than the average
value of the farms in this State, would have to pay for the
support of this work an average annual tax of iM cent- and
7 mills, and this would amount in the fifteen years to $3.25.

14 THE GYPSY MOTH.

If the Legislature should see fit to adopt the second course,
namely, that of mere restriction, it would be necessary to
appropriate each year to the end of time a sum of money
sufficient to prevent the insect from spreading and also from
causing serious damage in the infested region. Those who
are most familiar with this insect and the difficulty in de-
stroying it estimate the cost of holding it in check at a much
higher figure than some who have little or no practical knowl-
edge of the matter. The cost has been variously conjectured
and estimated at from $25,000 to $100,000 annually. My
own opinion is that the latter sum would be required even
in the present infested region ; and, if the insect should
escape and spread elsewhere, as it would probably do in
time with the cessation of exterminative methods, a still
larger sum would be necessary. If, however, adopting the
average non-scientific view, we assume that only $50,000
annually be required to hold this insect in check, I leave it
for those who believe that it is the wisest policy for the
State to adopt this course to estimate what the annual appro-
priations of $50,000 would amount to from now to the end
of time. If, however, we estimate the cost for a period of
forty years, or from the time a man might take charge of a
farm worth, say, $5,000, till the time he gives up the work,
assuming the taxable property and rate of taxation to remain
uniformly as at present, this man would have to pay, under
this proposed restrictive method, an annual tax of 10 cents
and 6 mills, which in forty years would amount to $4.24.

If, however, the third course, that of abandoning the work
entirely, be adopted, the gypsy moth will surely spread not
only over this Commonwealth but over the entire country.
We must bear in mind that this insect feeds on nearly all
plants of value that grow in this State, and is capable of
greatly injuring or even destroying them. In the report of
this committee issued in January, 1894, page 10, it was
stated that ' ' A conservative estimate made by Professor
Fernald places the probable annual damage which this insect
would do in Massachusetts alone, if allowed to spread, at
$1,000,000." I have published elsewhere an estimate from
the most carefully obtained data, that the cost of applying
Paris green to potatoes to protect them from the ravages of

TIIK (ivi'sv MOTH. ir>

the Colorado potato hectics in this State alone amounts to
s7ii,(i»>0 annually, --a sum equal to about one twenty-tiff li
of the value of the crop: and this has continued for many
years, with every prospect that it will go on indefinitely.
If, then-fore, it costs one twenty-fifth of the value of the
potato crop to apply an insecticide to protect it from the
ravages of ihe Colorado potato beetle, who can deny that it
will co-t <|iiite as large a proportion of the value of all the
\ enviable products of the farms, orchards, gardens and for-
ests, which the gypsy moth will attack, to protect them from
the ravages of this omnivorous pest? The value of these
products in this State for the year 1<SX;"), as given in the
State census, is $26,497,202, and one twenty-fifth of this
sum is more than $1,000,000. It should be remembered
that the cost of applying an insecticide to a low-growing
plant like the potato is far less than would be that of its
application to fruit and forest trees or grass and grain fields.
In thex- estimates no account has been taken of ornamental
trees and shrubs in this Commonwealth, for the reason that
I have no means of learning the number or value of these.
Their estimated value would depend largely upon their loca-
tion. Those in city parks have a far greater value than
those along the sides of country roads. Professor Liutuer,
State entomologist of New York, informs me that the Sara-
toga elms are insured at $500 each.

If the work of exterminating the gypsy moth should be
abandoned by the State, this insect, alreadv infesting some
of the metropolitan parks, would surely spread not only to
all of the parks belonging to this system but to all of those in
the metropolitan region. In this case one of two things
would follow : either the trees and shrubs of all the parks
of the region would be abandoned to these voracious insects,
to be stripped of their foliage, leaving them as bare and un-
-ightly as in winter; or else there would be a perpetual war
against them by park commissioner-.

I have no data from which to estimate what the cost of
such work would be, but even a superficial survey of the
problem would very ijiiickly convince one that it would be
enormous. If every tree and shrub in the parks of the en-
tire metropolitan system must be sprayed with an insecticide

16 THE GYPSY MOTH.

during the time these insects are in the caterpillar stage, all
the trees buiiapped during the same time and the caterpillars
gathered under them destroyed daily, we can see at once,
without making a closer estimate, that the annual expense to
cities and towns in the metropolitan district, one-half of
which would have to be paid by the city of Boston alone,
would be far greater than would be the case if the policy of
extermination should be pursued.

From the facts and figures given above it will bo readily
seen that the policy of extermination, with the full amounts
called for each year by the committee, is the wisest and most
economical course that can possibly be pursued ; and that
the policy of merely holding the insect in check will inevi-
tably end in the abandonment of the work by the State, and
the expense of destroying tins insect will tall upon every
land owner, every householder, if he has any trees or shrubs
on his premises, and even on every tax payer, who will have
to pay his part towards the expense of fighting this insect in
the public parks and grounds of the city or town in which
he resides.

Respectfully submitted,

C. H. FERNALD.

A view showing forest trees stripped by the Gypsy Moth.

From a photograph taken in Medford, July 1O, 1896, in the Middlesex Fells
Reservation, Metropolitan Park System.

TIIK (JYI'SY MOTH. 17

FIELD DIRECTOR'S REPORT.

To the Committee on the Gypsy Moth.

GENTLEMEN: — In the first three months of 1896, much
good work was done during favorable weather, with the
limited force at my command. The eggs of the moth were
treated where they were found above the "snow line "on
trees and other objects. Dead or dying trees in infested
localities were cut and burned, when other work could not
be done to advantage. When the snow was not too deep,
the undergrowth was cleared from infested places in the
woodland. The cavities in orchard trees were tilled or
covered. Loose bark and dead limbs were removed where
the necessities of the work demanded, and the infested
localities were put in a good defensive condition and pre-
pared for the summer's work, so far as this could be done by
the number of men that could be employed with the re-
mainder of the appropriation of 1895. Very little work was
done during storms, or when the snow lay deep upon the
ground.

The delay in making the appropriation rendered impossible
the carrying out of our plans for the work of the season. A
fe\v colonies were known in the outer towns where the moth
had been nearly exterminated. It had been planned to enter
these colonies as soon as the condition of the weather should
permit in the spring, and to clear them up and do such work
as would ensure the complete extermination of the moth in
them during the season of 189(1. Much of this work had to
be abandoned. This in some cases postponed the extermina-
tion of the moth there to another year.

When it was seen that there would be great delay in

18 THE GYPSY MOTH.

making an appropriation for the year's work, the remainder
of the appropriation of 1895 was used as far as it would go
in some of the badly infested localities, by destroying the
eggs of the moth there and thus preventing any outbreak of
caterpillars which might otherwise occur in the spring and
summer, should the appropriation be so long delayed as to
prevent any further work being done. Most of the field
work was discontinued in March, and nearly all the men
were discharged for lack of money to pay their wages.

When the emergency appropriation of $10,000 became
available, April 28, it was applied in destroying the eggs on
the trees in the worst infested localities, and in burning over
the ground to destrov the scattered e«-o-s of the moth in col-

o *• * •

onies where this work was deemed most necessary. The
work was begun at once in the outer towns. But the cater-
pillars were then already beginning to hatch out. Before
the burning had progressed far toward the centre, they were
going up the trees. For this reason the burning ceased to
be effective and was discontinued. The lapse of this work
was seriouslv felt later.

*/

All through the month of May the caterpillars were hatch-
ing out and spreading abroad from those worst infested local-
ities in the central towns, where, on account of the delay of
the appropriation, little or no winter work had been done.
The weather of the two previous years had been particularly
favorable for a great increase of the moth, and many fore-
bodings were felt as to what iniuiit result from the enforced

C1 o

delay. The season of 1896 also presented favorable con-
ditions for the multiplication of the moth, and the worst
fears were partly realized in the stripping and death of trees
in the woodlands, and in the spreading of the caterpillars
therefrom over territorv in the central towns which had been

«/

previously cleared at great labor and expense.

Some badly infested localities in the central towns had
been carefully treated during the fall and winter, everything
possible but the burning having then been done. This it
was intended to do in the spring, as, the leaves having fallen
from the trees during the fall and winter, a ground fire would
then be most effective. In some of these colonies where the
burning was not done the scattered eggs on the ground

TIIK (iVTSV MOTH. 19

among the dead leaves produced a sufficient number of
caterpillars to strip the foliage, entirely from the trees in the
centre of each colony, so that all the labor of the season of
IS'.),") served only to prevent the increase of the colonies, and
failed to contribute to the progress of extermination. The
number of the moths remained about the same, and they did
quite as much injury in these colonies in IS96 as in 1895.

When in June the reduced appropriation for the season's
work became available, there was no time to do more than
put on the burlap in the outer towns before the caterpillars
bcg.-ni to cluster beneath it. In many of the colonies where
the eggs had hatched in April and May, and the caterpillars
had scattered so as to extend the limits of the colonies and
increase the number of infested trees, it became necessary to
put on a much larger number of burlaps than last year.
After June 20 no time remained for putting on burlaps, for
it required all hands to properly attend those already on,
otherwise, those put on would not have accomplished their
object. Therefore, for lack of time and means no burlaps
were put on the trees in the central towns excepting in
Everett and on a few estates elsewhere, mostly where the
property owners attended them. The defoliation and serious
injury and even death of many trees which occurred during
the summer might have been prevented by burlapping these
trees and killing the caterpillars, had the appropriation been
made in season.

SUCCESSFUL SPRAYING.

The results reached in 1895 with arsenate of lead suggested
a trial with this insecticide on a larger scale during 1896.

• ^3

It was used on fruit, shade and forest trees, at a strength of
twenty pounds to one hundred and fifty gallons of water,
with glucose added. In one locality in the Middlesex Fells
the trees had been entirely defoliated during part of the sum-
mer of 1895. This place was chosen for experimental spray-
ing. \o work was done in this colony during the winter of
1895-96, and the eggs therefore hatched in the spring. The
colony was situated in a grove of young trees, mostly oaks,
averaging some thirty feet in height. The trees on several
acres were sprayed. At the time of spraying, although the

20 THE GYPSY MOTH.

caterpillars were large and numerous and had destroyed
much of the foliage before this work was begun, the insecti-
cide was very effective, and the result at the close of the
season was that the eggs deposited, as compared with those
deposited the previous season, were as one (or less than one)
to one hundred. Most of the ea'S-clusters were small, con-

irc '

taming few eggs. This indicated a lack of vitality and
development in the parent moths. Similar results were ob-
tained in other localities. Little injury was done to the foli-
age by spraying, and the insecticide remained on the leaves
throughout the season. Our experiments with other new
insecticide mixtures give promise of equally good or better
results.

While the spraying was in operation, improvements were
made in the apparatus. A relief valve was attached to each
pump, to regulate the pressure, thus saving labor in pump-
inn-, as well as doing away with unnecessary strain on the
hose and couplings. Experiments have also been made with
intent to improve the effectiveness of the pumps, and to save
labor by using horse-power, steam power or compressed air.
We are now directing efforts to invent and improve machin-
ery by which both the cost and labor of spraying large trees
may be reduced, and by which spraying may be made more
effective. Experiments in improving the burning machinery
are also in progress.

THE FALL WORK.

When the burlapping season was over and the eggs of the
moth were deposited, most of the force was concentrated in
badly infested localities, where the men were engaged in de-
stroving the esss of the moth until most of the foliage had

»- CJ *_ <^ C2

fallen from the deciduous trees. Then the larger part of the
force was sent into the outer towns, and used in inspect-
ing those portions of such towns which stood most in need of
an examination, or in working for the extermination of the
moth in those colonies where the moth had not already been
exterminated. When the snow came most of the men were
again concentrated in the badly infested localities in the inner
towns, where everything was done that could be done with
the small balance of the appropriation then remaining.

THE GYPSY .MOTH. 21

THK CONDITION OF TIIK INFKSTKD

The condition of the infested territory is now better known
tliMii ever lu-fore. Pieeause of inadequate appropriations, it
has been inii)ossil)le in any one year to inspect thoroughly
the entire territory : therefore no detailed report of the con-
dition of the infested towns has ever been published. The
present report may be considered as approximately accurate,
for the appropriation of sl,~>( >,()()(), made in 1895, although
not providing for all the Avork necessary, made possible a
thorough inspection of nearly all the towns in the infested
region during that year and the early part of 1896. The
outer tier of toAvns in the infested region has been looked
over far more carefully Avithin the past two years than ever
before. These towns Avere nearly all given a tree-by-tree
inspection in 1895, or in the winter of 1895-96, and most
of those which did not then have a thorough inspection have
been inspected during the fall of 1896.

Beverly.

Beverly is the easternmost place which has been found in-
fested. Several colonies were found in 1891 and in 1892,
and one was found in 1894. No moths have been found in
the city during the past year, although the localities pre-
viously infested haA*e been carefully looked after, and the
greater part of that portion of the city which has been most
exposed to infestation has been carefully searched.

Salem.

Many colonies of the moth were found scattered over the
main streets and roads of Salem in the fall of 1891. A
more extended inspection, later, showed that there were also
numerous colonies in Salem (Jreat Pastures and a few in the
wood-. Xcarlv all the colonies that have been found near

«/

the centre of population have been exterminated, one of the
worst being at Harmony Grove Cemetery. As much as wa>
feasible with the means provided has been done to exter-
minate the colonies found in the pastures. In many cases
this work has been a success, in others the lack of money

22 THE GYPSY MOTH.

has resulted in a cessation of the work and a consequent
failure to exterminate. The woodland colonies have been
carefully treated. Most of the known colonies in Salem
have been thoroughly examined during the present year.
Salem is nowr in far better condition as regards the gypsy
moth than in former years, but some colonies in the pastures
should be burned over before the eggs hatch in the spring.

Marblehead.

Marblchead was found infested in 1891, and several col-
onies have been found there since. Only two caterpillars
were found in the town in 1895. A careful inspection made
during the fall of 1896 has shown one small colony in the
south-eastern portion of the town, near Swampscott, and
two egg-clusters near the centre. The work of this winter
ou^ht to exterminate the moth from Marblehead, but it must

C

be carefully watched, as it adjoins other infested towns.

Swampscott.

In the summer of 1891 the gypsy moths swarmed in cer-
tain parts of Swampscott. They were found in small colo-
nies along the roads, and had penetrated into the woods,
where the largest colonies were found. The largest colony
in the town and one of the worst in the infested region has
been entirely cleared during the past five years, and no
moths are now found there. The colony covered an area
of about one hundred acres, a large part of which is wood-
land. There is a smaller colony also in the woodland which
needs attention. Outside of this, there were three localities
in which the moths were found in the fall inspection. These
have been examined and the eggs destroyed. Most of the
town has been thoroughly inspected during 1896.

JVahant.

Nahant has also been carefully gone over this year, and
no moths have been found there. In past seasons small
colonies of the moth have been exterminated in this town.

THE GYPSY MOTH.

Winthrop.

Winthrop was found to be generally infested in 1*91 and
IS;IL>. It has shown a continual improvement from year to
year, and during the past autumn has been carefully in-
spected. Only three small egg-clusters were found.

Boston.

No gypsy moths have ever been found in the business
part of the city. There is very little sustenance for leaf-
feeders there, except on occasional street trees and in the
parks. In the residential portion, however, many colonies
of the moth have been found. That part of East Boston on
Breed's Island known as Orient Heights was found badly in-
fested in 1891, but from year to year there has been a steady
improvement in its condition. With the exception of one
colony, the moths appear to be exterminated there. The
major part of East Boston was not so badly infested, and
at present only one colony is known there. The only re-
maining colony known in South Boston has been carefully
gone over the present year, and appears to be cleared. No
moths have been found in the south end of Boston since 1895.
The greatest swarm found in Boston was in the Dorchester
district, one locality there yielding eighteen bushels of cater-
pillars in a short time. This district is now nearly free from
the moth. Only one caterpillar has been found this year in
the Roxbury district, which was considerably infested in
1894. In 1893 an old colony was found in Franklin Park,
which, on account of the nature of the ground, was very
difficult to exterminate. No moths have been found in the
park during the present year. This locality, however, should
be carefully watched.

Brighton was found to be infested in 1891. All of the
widely dispersed colonies in this district now appear to be
exterminated. No moths have been found in Charlestown
in ISHG.

A search of Boston was made in 1895, but no careful in-
spection of the whole city and its suburbs has been attempted

24 THE GYPSY MOTH.

in 1896, for the means provided were not sufficient to do
this and attend to other work which was more pressing.

Brookline.

Two colonies of the moth were found in 1896 in Brookline.
A thorough inspection of the town is now in progress. So
far, no moths have been found outside of these two colonies.
These colonies were of several years' growth, and would have
been found before had means been provided from year to
year to inspect thoroughly all the outer towns. On account
of the nature of the ground and the fact that the moths were
first found late in the season, it is improbable that these
colonies have been exterminated.

Watertovn .

Several moth colonies were found in Watertown in 1891
and in 1892, and more were found later. Some of them
were so situated as to render extermination extremely diffi-
cult. Much careful work has been done in these colonies.
Only two places were found infested in this town in 1896.
One is an extension of a Cambridge colony, situated near
the Watertown line ; the other, where only two caterpillars
were found, is also in the eastern part of the town.

Waltham.

In only one colony in Waltham have any moths been
found in 1896, all the old colonies having been exterminated
previous to 1895. A careful search of the town in that year
revealed one colony in the woods, which has since been
carefully watched, burlapped and treated in such a way that,
if it is not already exterminated, it should be by the work of
another summer.

Lexington.

The greater portion of Lexington appears to be cleared,
although the moth formerly existed there in many colonies
scattered over the town. There are two colonies in the
woodland in the northern part of the town, in which nearly
everything possible has already been done to destroy all
forms of the moth and to put the colonies in a condition for

TITI-: (ivrsv MOTH. 25

the most careful work another year. If any caterpillars
appear in these colonies when the eirirs hatch in the spring,
there \\ill he little clifliculty in destroying them all at that
time. IUit lew caterpillars have been found during the sum-
mer in Kast Lexington village, where a large and dillicult
colony was formerly located. The eastern corner of Lex-
ington extends into one of the badly infested spots in the
\\oodland, of which reports have been previously made.
There were many trees infested in some of the woodland
colonies this year. Much work, however, was done there,
and these colonies all now appear to be in good condition.
If .-ullicient work can be done there during this winter and
in the early spring, nothing is to be feared from them.

J>iniln'jton.

The only colony in Burlington in which the moth was
found in considerable numbers in 18915 was discovered in
l*;i.~> in the woodland. This colony has been carefully
attended and watched during the summer, the undergrowth
cleared out in the fall, and everything done to destroy the
moth and put the locality in the best possible condition for
another thorough inspection in 1897. The northern part
of the town needs a tree-by-tree inspection.

Wobum.
Woburn was carefullv examined in 1895. All the known

«/

colonies have been watched and worked over, and no moths
are now known to exist in the town except in the south-
\\e-tern portion, near the Winchester-Lexington boundary,
where more work is needed. In this region the large and
dangerous colony reported to the Legislature last year has
been annihilated by tire.

Reading.

No moths have been found in Reading for the past two
years. All the known colonies appear to have been stamped
out. They have been carefully watched. An inspection of
the town is now going on. The southern and central por-
tions, contiguous to other infested towns, have now been
examined.

26 THE GYPSY MOTH.

Lynnfield.

In all the widely scattered colonies in Lynnfield, known
before 1894, the moths were exterminated in that year or
previously. A thorough examination of the southern part
of the town in 1895 revealed several colonies in the wood-
land. Some of these were extensions of Saugus colonies.
Others had existed in the woodland for several years, but
there had been no woodland inspection, except along roads
and paths, on account of lack of money. These wood col-
onies have already been nearly exterminated. They have
all been carefully treated, the brush has been cut out and
burned, and they have been burlapped for two years. In
some of them no moths have been found this year, in others
onlv a few have been found. A search of all the woodland

«/

in the town is now in progress. In this search only one
small colony has been found thus far outside of those hereto-
fore known. The situation of the town, the extent of its
woodland and its popularity as a place for outings and pic-
nics (potent factors in the distribution of the moth) may be
named as reasons wrhy it should be carefully watched.

Peabody.

Nearly all the moth colonies which were found scattered
over Peabody, in 1891 and since, have been exterminated.
Only three are now known. One is a large woodland col-
ony, which it may take some time yet to exterminate.

Danvers.

Only two colonies of the moth have ever been found in
Danvers. One of these was on the Salem line ; the other on
the Beverly line, extending over into and mostly in Beverly.
These have both been exterminated.

Lynn.

Lynn was found infested in 1891, and the moth colonies
were generally scattered over the city. At one time there
were over twelve hundred estates infested, mostly in and
about the centre of population. The condition of the city

THE GYPSY MOTH. '27

has been improving of late years until 1896, when durinii
the fall inspection of the known colonies eggs have been
found on only one estate of the twelve hundred.

For several years it has been known that the gypsy nioth
has obtained a foothold in the public park known as the
" Lynn Woods." This woodland has been inspected from
time to time, but it should have, as soon as possible, a more
thorough and careful inspection than the resources provided
have previously allowed. During June of the present year
a colony was found by an inspector, where the caterpillars
had become so numerous as to strip the leaves from the
trees and all vegetation over a small area. It is probable
that there may be a repetition of this occurrence in other
portions of the woodland, unless a careful and thorough
inspection of the whole tract is made before the eggs hatch
in the spring. The known colonies in the woods have all
been carefully looked after, so that there is no danger of
serious injury resulting to the park from them. If means
are provided, the entire wood can be freed from the moth
in a comparatively short time.

Wakefield was found generally infested in 1891 and in
189.1. Colonies were scattered about over the inhabited
part of the town, and also in the woods. The condition of
the town has been greatly improved from year to year, until
at the present time only five colonies are known there, and
in these only a very few moths have been found this year.

Stoneham.

In 1891 the central part of Stoneham was found to be
more or less infested by the moths, and a later inspection
.-howed that the woodland of the south-eastern part, adjoin-
ing Melrose, was also more or less infested, and that colonies
were scattered through the northern end of the town. The
condition there and in the central part of the town has been
improved from year to year, and in the northern part the
moths appear to have been exterminated. The moths have
been found in only two localities in the centre in 1896.

28 THE GYPSY MOTH.

The greatest danger of an increase and spread of the moth
lies now in the Middlesex Fells region, adjoining Medford
and Melrose. Careful and thorough work should be done
there as soon as possible.

Winchester.

The moths were early found to be scattered throughout
the Winchester village, and a later inspection showed that
they had penetrated into the woods, not only in the south-
eastern section, near the Middlesex Fells, but also in the
western portion of the town, lying near Woburn and Lex-
ington and north of western Arlington. This woodland is

^2 *—

a portion of one of the badly infested wooded localities
reported a year ago to the Legislature, with an urgent
recommendation that sufficient money be appropriated to
make it possible to prosecute actively the work of extermina-
tion therein. Careful work has been done in the western
Winchester woods, with the result that very few moths are
now found there. The work should be followed up during
the winter by such cutting and burning as is necessary and
can be done to advantage, and the remaining eggs should be
destroyed before the coming spring. There has been a
great improvement in the condition of Winchester the past
year, and little has been found in the centre of the town
during the past two years, although several bad colonies
were formerly known there.

Arlington .

In 1891 a few of the worst infested localities in the region
were found in Arlington, the woodland being infested, as
as well as the open and cultivated land. The moths were
found scattered throughout the town. Since that time they
have been almost entirely cleared from the eastern part, but
in the' woodland adjoining Lexington and Winchester there
remains considerable work to be done. An advance, how-
ever, has been made there from year to year.

Belmont.

Belniont was one of the towns found infested by the first
Gypsy Moth Commission in 1890. The first work done un-

THE GYPSY MOTH. 29

der the second commission was to enter and inspect a portion
of the town and to destroy what egg-clusters were found.
Many colonies \\eiv immediately located, most of them of
several years' standing. The inspection of the town which
followed showed that the moths were not only distributed
along the roads and on the farms, but also in the woods.
Handicapped by insufficient means, we have found it impos-
sible to do all the work required in some of the woodland
colonies, but most of them are in good condition. Man}' of
the Belmont colonies have been exterminated. There are
still several colonies in the town which need immediate
attention.

Cambridge.

One large colony was found in Cambridge in 1890, which
was so situated as to facilitate the distribution of the moth
over the city. The search of the city made in 1891 showed
that the moths had been scattered over most of the western
portion, as well as all about Harvard Square. A few colo-
nies have been found in Carubridgeport. The work has re-
sulted in a gradual improvement in the condition of the city,
so that now the moths have been exterminated from most of
the colonies originally known. During the past year scat-
tered caterpillars have been found, particularly in the western
part of the city. Cambridge should have a thorough inspec-
tion at once, for by careful work the moths there can soon
be exterminated.

Somerville.

In 1891 the moths were found scattered in colonies through-
out the greater portion of Somerville. They were in consid-
erable numbers in West Somerville. There has been a steady
improvement in the condition of the city. All the known
colonies have been carefully attended in 1896, and much
work has been done in covering holes in trees in infested
localities and preparing them for another season's work.
The moth has been exterminated in nearly all the known
colonies.

Chelsea was found infested by the first commission in 1890.
There were some badly infested localities, and the moth colo-

30 THE GYPSY MOTH.

nies were found scattered generally about the city in 1891.
Most of the colonies in Chelsea have been exterminated
within the last three years. The city has been entirely in-
spected during the fall, and only a very few egg-clusters
have been found there.

Revere.

The first inspection of Revere, in 1891, showed that the
moths were in all parts of the town except upon the salt
marsh, where none were found. The work of the past three
years in Revere has been quite effective, and only one egg-
cluster has been found there in the last inspection.

Saugus.

In the inspection of 1891 colonies of the moth were found
in Saugus along the principal roads leading through the town
from Maiden, Melrose and Revere to Lynn ; and many other
colonies were found, not only in the village, but in the farm-
ing section of the town. Careful inspection of the woods
\\as not made until later. The inspection of the woodlands
in Saugus and other central towns was always more or less
incomplete, on account of inadequate resources ; but colonies
were found in the woodlands during 1893, 1894 and 1895,
showing that these woodlands were more or less infested,
and in some cases the colonies were quite large. For lack
of sufficient means we have not been able to do all the work
that was required in these colonies, and, as a consequence,
although a great deal of time has been expended on them and
they have been partially held in check, they have increased
and extended their limits, so that they now not only threaten
to extend still farther into the Saugus woods, but to reinfest
Lynn, Salem, Swampscott and other places where the moth
is now nearly exterminated. If the work of extermination
is to be continued with any prospect of success, it is an abso-
lute necessity that the eggs in this woodland be destroyed
before the caterpillars hatch out in the spring. This it will
be impossible to do without an immediate and adequate
appropriation.

TIIK (iVl'SV MOTH. 31

In IS'il Melrose was found to be considerably infested.
Many bad colonies were found then and later in the villages
and woodlands. At tin- present time all the northern part
of the town has been carefully gone over, and very few
moths have been found. A large amount of work remains
to be done in the southern portion, especially in the wood-
lands, and much work might profitably be done there during
the present winter and the spring of 181)7. Careful inspec-
tion now begun should be continued and finished before the
egirs hatch in the spring.

Maiden.

The western portion of Maiden, being contiguous to that
portion of Medford where the moth was first introduced,
early became infested, and Edge worth in 1891 was literally
overrun by the caterpillars. Much careful work was then
done in destroying egg-clusters and caterpillars, and this has
been followed up year by year sufficiently to hold the moth
in check throughout the entire city. Very little injury to
the foliage has been done since 181)1, except in a few cases.
During the present year there was an outbreak in the southern
part of the city, near the city pumping station, where the
trees on about half an acre were more or less defoliated.
While the moths have been held in check in Maiden, even
in that portion of the city contained in the woodland of the
Middlesex Fells, they cannot be said to be exterminated
anywhere; for, as the city is generally infested, any colony
cleared is likely to become reinvested. Maiden is in such a
condition, however, that, were sufficient means provided at
once to clear this and the neighboring towns, the moths
could be almost entirely exterminated from the city in one
year's time.

Everett.

The north-we-tern portion of Everett, which is contiguous
to Medford and Maiden, was badly infested by the moth in
l.s'Jl, and moth colonies were scattered generally over the
city. The work in the city in 1891 greatly improved its

32 THE GYPSY MOTH.

condition, which has since varied from time to time, accord-
ing to the amount of work that could be done there. In

^3

1894 Everett was in very fair condition ; but in 189.">, owing
to the pressure of work elsewhere, comparatively little work
was done there, and the moths increased rapidly. During
the past summer Everett has been burlapped, the burlaps
carefully attended and the infested localities examined during
the fall. More caterpillars were taken there than in any
other city or town, and it is now in much better condition
than in 16 9f>.

»

Medford, the original home of the gypsy moth in this
country, was found very badly infested from the first, and
much work was done there in the early part of 1891. Dur-
ing the winter of 1891-92 a srrcat deal of careful work was

c^ «

done in the city, and everything possible with the resources
provided has been done there since. Xo burlap was put on
in Medford in 1890, on account of the lateness of the appro-
priation; but the work of 189") was so well done that only
here and there in the centres of population were the rnoths
troublesome in is'.Mi. They have increased greatly, however,
in the Medford woods within two vears. This tract contains

V

a large part of the Middlesex Fells reservation and other
woodlands. This woodland centre has been necessarily more
or less neglected, owing to lack of means year by year to
attend properly to all the woodland in the infested terri-
tory. During the past two years several swarms of the
rnoth have developed in the Medford woods, while many of
the older colonies have increased so rapidly as to menace all
the surrounding country. In 1896 many trees were stripped
in two localities on the borders of the metropolitan park
reservation. Most of the men working in that section of
the infested region were concentrated in these woods during
the first of the autumn before the leaves had fallen from the
trees, and again in December, when the snow tall made the
inspection of outer towns and careful cleaning work there
unprofitable. During the winter of 1896-97 the work should
be pushed to the utmost in these woods, otherwise there is
danger that considerable injury may be done in the metro-

THK (,\ 1'SV MOTH.

politan park re-ervation next summer, and thai the moths
mav be scattered abroad bv means of vehicles driving

* V

through the many roads which have been recently opened
by the Metropolitan Park Commission.

^1 *//<// /,/'/!•>/ «f tin' t'l-cw/if ( 'unit !/ ion of the Infested

Region.

An arbitrary line can now 1>c drawn, enclosing the region
most infested, whieh will leave outside of it and surrounding
the rent iv about two-thirds of the region formerly known as
infested. This outer legion is nearly, if not entirely, cleared
of the moth. If sufficient resources are promptly provided
another year, I believe the moth can be cleared from all this
outer region in a year's time. In the central region there
are now only two large centres badly infested in the wood-
land, in place of three of about one thousand acres each
which were reported to the Legislature on Jan. 1, 1896.
The tract, comprising the woods of south-western Woburn,
eastern Lexington and western Winchester, is now in much
better condition than last year. This gain is offset by the
fact that the irreat tracts of woodland in Medford and Saugus

«— ^2

are now in a worse condition than ever before, though all
has been done there that could be done with the delayed
and reduced appropriation. This unfavorable condition of
all'airs requires a word of explanation.

When the work of extermination was begun by the Board
of Agriculture, in 1891, there were many infested localities
in the woodland in the outer towns. These colonies were
particularly dangerous as moth-distributing centres, both
on account of their situation near the borders of the in-
fested region and on lines of traffic and travel to non-infested
towns, and because of the character and extent of the wood-
land in which they were situated. In 1*91 and until within
two years some of these outer colonies were much more
infe.-ted than those in the central woodlands. Attention
therefore had first to be given to preventing the inoihs in
these colonie- from occupying a l.irirer area in these remote
woodlands, from which it would be difficult to extermi-
nate them. Furthermore, the work of exterminating these

34 THE GYPSY MOTH.

colonies in the outer towns had to be done, if the spread of
the nioth into towns outside the infested region was to ho
prevented. But, while the work has been so well done in
these outer woodland colonies that the moth has been ex-
terminated from most of them, it has been impossible, with
the means at hand, to provide at the same time for the ex-
termination of the moth in the colonies in the inner towns.
It has been simply a case of choosing the greater of two
evils to combat. The dangers of this enforced neglect have
been realized, and the steady increase of the moth in the
central woodlands has been known, and, as you are aware,
has been repeatedly pointed out.

While some of the colonies in the outer towns were at first
much to be feared as centres of moth dissemination, this
danger has now been largely eliminated by the success of
the work of extermination in those towns. Yet a new
danger of distribution now overshadows all others. The
facilities for the distribution of the moth from the central
woodlands have greatly increased within the last six years,
or since the work of exterminating, the gypsy moth was be-
gun. Streets have been cut through many of them, and
building begun. The Metropolitan Park Commission has
opened driveways and built boulevards, all of which form a
network through the Middlesex Fells region ; and people
from all the region round about drive over these roads and
boulevards during the summer months, when the caterpillars
are spinning down from the trees. Electric car lines have
been opened along roads through the woods, connecting the
eastern cities with the central towns and cities, one line going
as far as Lowell.

There are now in the woods of these central towns probably
one million egg-clusters ; and, if by any delay of the appro-
priation for the work of 1897, these egg-clusters are allowed
to hatch, they will probably produce from one hundred mil-
lion to five hundred million caterpillars. We have, there-
fore, good grounds to fear that, should the caterpillars be
allowed to hatch out in the spring, they will be spread
abroad, reinfesting those towns already cleared or nearly
so, and necessitating much of the work of the past five years
to be done over again. This great danger can be averted

TIII-: (jvrsv MOTH.

and the inolh stamped out in (hese woodlands only l>y (he,
immediate provision of ample means, which will insure (he
destruction of (he e«r«i's before May 1, IS',17.

Tlu' c'ondilion of the (owns which are or have been in-
fested may be quickly seen hy a glance at (he following list.
lirookline is no( included in this list, as the first inspection
of this place is not yet finished.

former? i/ infested, not found infested in 1S96. — Beverly,
Charleston n, Panvers, Xalmnt, Reading.

Places in which only One Locality has been found infested in 1890. —
Roxbury, South Boston.

Other places in u-hich the Moth appears to be nearly exterminated. —
Brighton, Burlington, Chelsea. Marbleheacl, Sonierville, Swampscott,
"Wakefield, Waltham, Watertown, Wiuthrop.

Places in which the Moth is now found only in Limited Areas. —
Boston, East Boston, Lexington, Lynn, Lynnfield, Peabody.

Places Large Portions of ivhich have been cleared from the Moth. —
Cambridge, Revere, Salem, Saugus, Stoneham.

Places more or less generally infested. — Arlington, Belrnont, Everett,
Maiden, Medford, Winchester.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN 1896.

The figures <riven below do not fully represent the number
of employees enrolled on the pay roll, which at the height of
the season considerably exceeded three hundred, but <rive the
number of those actually at work each week. There are
always >ome absentees, on account of sickness or leave of

absence.

Jan. 1-Jan. 4,

. 141

Feb. 24- Feb. 29, .

. 134

Jan. 6- Jan. 11,

. 137

.March 2-Maivh 7,

, l:?5

Jan. 13- Jan. IX, .

. 133

March 9-March 16,

. l:;n

Jan. 20-Jan. 25, .

. 133

Man-li 17-Maivh 21,

. 4s

Jan. 27-Feb. 1, .

. 1:',:l

March 23-Maivh i>x, .

. 65

Fob, 3 Feb. x,

. l:::5

.March 30- April 4,

. 134

Feb. 10 Feb. 15, .

. 135

April G-April 11, .

. 136

Feb. 17 Feb. 22, .

. 135

April 13 April 18,

. 135

THE GYPSY MOTH.

April 20-April 25,

. 136

Aug. 31 -Sept. 5, .

. 2:U

April 27- May 2, .

. 135

Sept. 7-Sept. 12, .

. 221

May 4-May 9,

. 132

Sept. 14-Sept. 19, .

. 2t)9

May 11 -May 16, .

. 131

Sept. 21-Sept 26, .

. 193

May 18 -May 23, .

. 130

Sept. 28 -Oct. 3,

. 177

May 25-May 30, .

. 132

Oct. 5 -Oct. 10,

. 174

June 1-June 6,

. 140

Oct. 12-Oct. 17, .

. 179

June 8-June 13, .

. 196

Oct. 19-Oct. 24, .

. 173

June 15 June 20, .

. 236

Oct. 26-Oct. 31, .

. 175

June 22-June 27, .

. 248

Nov. -_;-Nov. 7,

. 173

June 29 -July 4, .

. 293

Nov. 9-Nov. 14, .

. 171

July 0-July 11, .

. 304

Nov. 16-Nov. 21, .

. 141

July 13 July 18, .

. 306

Nov. 23 -Nov. 28, .

. 135

July 20- July 25, .

. 299

Nov. 30 -Dec. 5,

. 132

July 27 -Aug. 1, .

. 281

Dec. 7-Dec. 12, .

. 139

Aug. 3 -Aug. 8,

. 271

Dec. 14-Dec. 19, .

. 139

Aug. 10-Aug. 15, .

. 268

Dec. 21-Dec. 26, .

. 139

Aug. 17- Aug. 22, .

. 253

Dec. 28-Dec. 31, .

. 29

Aug. 24-Aug. 29, .

. 244

SlMMARY OF THE YEAR'S WoiIK.

The figures given annually in the table of the number of
each form of the moth destroyed are such as pertain only to
the results of hand labor. These may be misleading, as it is
quite probable that more moths have been destroyed by burn-
ing and spraying than by hand. Therefore, records of the
hand work done each year do not accurately indicate the
immber of the different forms of the moth destroyed by all
methods during each year. The other figures give only
such results of labor as from their nature can be accurately
reported and tabulated.

Some difference in the figures from year to year is due to
the fact that, owing to the lack of adequate appropriations,
only a part of the territory can be examined and worked
over each year. Certain towns, for instance, are entirely
inspected one year, and the inspection is necessarily omitted
the next.

Work Done.

Trees (fruit, shade and forest) : —

Inspected, 10,7 18.* 36

Found to be infested with caterpillars pupae, moths or eggs, 57,723

In which cavities have been cemented or covered, . . 3,4<>8

THE (iVl'SV MOTH 37

.',!, . . .... 667,025

l 4,.'L'7

Trimmed, . 90,H:.'i>

s.-ruped, . !<:".»

Cut l:iJ,:5'.)l

Acres of brushland and woodland cut and burned over, . 177

r.uildings : —

[nspected, ... -24,7i;i

Found to be infested, . . 815

Wooden fences : —

Inspected, 43,!"* 17

Found to be infested, 1,318

Stone walls : —

In-p.vted (rods) 18,997

Found to be infested, 033

Number of each form of the moth destroyed during the
\ car iiy hand : —

Caterpillar's ... 1,808,105

Pupiv, 441,899

Moths 44.291

I latched, or infertile egg-clusters, 31,501

Unhatched and probably fertile egg-clusters, . . . 884,928

The number of trees reported as inspected is not so large
as the number reported in 181)5. This may be accounted for
bv the reduction of the appropriation and the late date at
which it was granted, both of which made a thorough inspec-
tion impossible in 1896. The number of trees found infested
in 1896 (57,723) is considerably less than the number found
infested in 1*95 (76,79-4). Yet the reduction in the number
of infested trees in the region is more apparent than real,
for, as it has been impossible to inspect thoroughly as large
a portion of the field as was last year examined, there are
undoubtedly many trees in the woodland of the central
towns on which eggs have been laid during the summer or
fall of 1896, which have not yet been examined and are
therefore not recorded. There has been, however, a con-
siderable gain, in that most of the infested places in the
outer towns have been cleared ; and, although the number of
trees actually infested this year may possibly be as large as
the number infested last year, they are mostly in fewer
localities, nearer the centre of the region, so that they can
be cleared at less expense than if they were scattered through
the outer towns.

38 THE GYPSY MOTH.

The number of trees sprayed in 1896 is much larger than
the number sprayed in 1895, for it had been demon-
strated beyond all doubt that arsenate of lead could be
relied upon to destroy the moth. Also, much of the spring
work having been left undone, the numbers of newly hatched
caterpillars made spraying necessary in many cases where it
would not have been done had the hatching been prevented.
Again, much of the spraying with arsenate of lead was done
in wooded localities, where there were many trees to be
sprayed.

While the number of caterpillars destroyed by burlapping
during 1895 was greater than the number killed in this way
in 1896, the numbers of pupa1 and moths destroyed in 1896
more closely approached the figures of 189"), while the
number of egg-clusters destroyed in 1896 is greater than the
number of those destroyed in 1895. On account of the late-
ness of the appropriation, it was impossible to burlap all the
trees, and, on account of the reduction in the size of the
appropriation, very little in the way of killing caterpillars
could be done in the summer in most of the territory com-
prised in those towns where no burlap was put on. There-
fore, more moths matured and more eggs were consequently
laid in 1896 than in 1895. This accounts for the difference
between the figures of the two years. Although a greater
number of egg-clusters has been destroyed this year than last
year, the number now existing in the woodland of the cen-
tral towns is greater than the number reported destroyed.

False Alarms.

During 1896, as in former years, reports of the presence
of supposed gypsy moths or of injury caused by them have
been received, both from towns within the infested region
and from other towns in the State ; but in no such case has
any evidence of the moth been found by our investigations
outside the region previously known to be infested except in
Brookline, which adjoins the infested region. Reports have
also been received from other States. These have all been
investigated, and no evidence of the gypsy moth has been
found.

A view showing trees stripped by the Gypsy Moth in Saugus woods.
From a photograph taken July 1O, 1896.

TIIK (iVl'SV MOTIT.

I',!)

C/fi'rs flint Imrr been falsely r<'i><>rt''<l «* infilled Ay the

Math in

Mii**nchti*< //N.

Marion,

Maine,

Ayer,

Milton,

Jay.

Bedford,

NCwton,

Concord,

Oukham,

New Hampshire.

Easton,

Quincy,

Derry.

Framingham,

Rochester,

Fox borough,

RoyaLston,

Texas.

Grafton,

Stoughton,

Groton,

Tyngsborough,

Galveston.

Ilavorhill,

Wellesley,

Lawrence,

West Uridgewater,

California.

Leoniinster,

Weynaouth,

Fresno.

Lincoln,

THE GYPSY MOTH AS A FOREST PEST.

The gypsy moth has long been known as a destroyer of
the foliage of both coniferous and deciduous trees, shrub-
bery and foliage plants. Instances are on record where, in
European countries, it has not only destroyed the foliage
and fruitage, but caused the death of trees. Several cases
are cited in the somewhat voluminous report published in
1896 by the Board of Agriculture.* This report also gives
many instances where trees, shrubs and garden crops in
Medford, Mass., were destroyed by the caterpillars of the
gypsy moth. It is also stated that vast areas of forest have
been infested in Russia and other countries.

AY hen the Board of Agriculture first began work in the
woodlands of the infested district in 1.S1H, many dead and
dying trees were found in localities where defoliation had
occurred for one or more years. These trees were cut and
burned. It was then impossible to determine to a certainty
the c:iu>e of their death. Since that time there has been no
opportunity to observe the eil'ect of tin- defoliation of trees
for even t\v<> successive seasons until IS'.M!. This year the
delay in the appropriation allowed the moths to obtain

* "Tlie Oypsy Moth," E. H. Forbush and C. H. Feruald. Issued by the Massa-
chusetts State Board of Agriculture, 1896.

40 THK GYPSY MOTH.

sufficient headway in some woodlands, which were defoliated
in 1895, so that the trees were again stripped in 1896.

So far as observed, all pines which have been defoliated
for even one year have died, and some which have not been
entirely defoliated are dying. Where oaks have been de-
foliated two years in succession, a large proportion of them
are now either dead or dying. In one locality in the large
forest park, controlled by the Lynn municipality, and known
as the "Lynn woods," where a small area of young trees,
mostly oaks, was stripped in 189G, many of them are either
dead or dvin<y. In several localities in Saus^us, where the

V f^ ^J

trees have been stripped for two years in succession, we find
the same condition. There are several other localities where
trc<-.s appear to have been killed by total defoliation one
season and partial defoliation the next. One of these where
the greatest injury was done was in the Lexington woods.
Thus we have demonstrated the fact, which has been hitherto
denied by some, that defoliation by Lepidopterous insects
may weaken and destroy deciduous trees.

The trees appear to die from the tops. The defoliated
limbs apparently suffer from sun-burn or sun-scald, and this
condition is closely followed by the attacks of bark borers,
ScolytidoBi which still further weaken the tree. It is well
known that these insects frequently follow the leat-eaters,
and they soon complete the destruction of the tree.

Judging by the foregoing observations, the danger to our
forest and park reservations appears to be great. Should
the insect be allowed to increase and spread, the great cost
of protecting the forest growth would preclude any effort in
that direction by the great majority of land owners.

Unless the work of destroying the eggs of the moth in
the woodlands of Medford, Saugus and other towns is
promptly provided for, much serious injury may be done,
especially in the Middlesex Fells reservation, during the
coming year.

METHODS USED ix FOREST WORK.
It is not extremely difficult to exterminate the gvpsy moth

«/ 0*1 •/

from shade or fruit trees or from open or cultivated lands.
Although the danger of a distribution of the moth to a dis-

-

TIIK (ivi'SY MOTH. 41

tanee ^ not under ordinary circumstances as great in wood-
land centres, remote from luunan habitations, as il is where
(lie moths are numerous in cultivated lands or in centres of
population, the cost of e.xtenninative work in woodlands is
greater and more time is required for extermination. If
woodland colonies are not '• nipped in the bud/' the increase
of the moth and its limited distribution go steadily on,
even though it be held in cheek by repressive measures, so
that it does not do any appreciable injury. This compara-
tivelv slow but sure distribution over a larii'c woodland area

i

irreatlv inereases the ultimate cost of the work of cxtermina-

i

tion. It is more economical to expend, if necessary , a thou-
sand dollars at once in stamping out a woodland moth colony
while it is confined within narrow limits, than to expend a
smaller sum and allow the moth to spread (which it will do
even if its increase is partially checked), so that an expendi-
ture of thousands of dollars will be required year after year,
annually increasing, to merely hold it in check.

Where a small isolated colony is found in the woods, the
quickest way to dispose of it is to cut all trees and burn the
underbrush and rubbish in the fall or winter. The ground
should then be burned over with crude oil once or twice in
the spring, about the time the young caterpillars hatch out.
Within the past two seasons an experiment of this kind has
been tried on a large scale on a wooded hillside, on the estate
of Mr. W. H. AVinning, in Woburn. The moths appeared
in the summer of is: 15 in numbers sufficient to strip the
foliage from the trees on two tracts of an acre or more each.
A careful examination of the surrounding woods showed that
the moths had scattered over some fifteen acres in the im-
mediate vicinity. The growth was largely oak and the trees
were from forty to sixty feet in height. All the tree- and
undergrowth on an area of about ten acres were burned and
on the rest the wood was cut and marketed. The lea\ -
were raked up and burned in the fall of 1X!I.">, and in the
spring of ls:n; the ground was burned over.

Although the first burning in the spring swept the land so
that very little remained except stumps and ashes, a few
caterpillars appeared later around the edges of the burned
tract and fed for a time on the sprouts which sprang up after

42 THE GYPSY MOTH.

the fire. Here the around was again burned over and the

c1 ~

nioth was no doubt exterminated on this tract.

As much of the forest land now infested has been reserved
for water or park purposes, it has not been deemed expedient
to use this method elsewhere, except in small colonies, or in
sproutland where the wood is of little value. Considerable
burning, however, has been done in connection with clearing
waste laud and in destroying the moth in certain situations
where other means of destruction are of less avail.

In badly infested localities in the woodlands which are
cleared to destroy the eggs, there is usually much debris on
the ground in the shape of dead leaves, broken pieces of
decayed branches, decayed stumps, bark, etc., on and among
which the eggs of the moth have been deposited by the
moths themselves, or scattered by other causes. Therefore,
even if the eggs on the trees are destroyed, the task is not
complete, for in such localities many scattered eggs will re-
main upon the ground, and, if they are unmolested until
hatching time, the young caterpillars will ascend the trees,
and injury, which varies according to circumstances, results.
If, however, before hatching time the underbrush is cut,
piled and burned, the dry leaves and other debris raked
together and burned, and if afterward the ground is burned
over with oil, most of the scattered eggs will be destroyed.
Even then, however, some may escape the burning, and
caterpillars will usually be found in the locality another
season.

A more successful method is as follows : The eggs upon
file trees are treated with creosote or petroleum, and thus
destroyed early in the fall. The undergrowth is cut away
and the dead limbs burned. The colony is then left for the
winter. Just before the caterpillars hatch in the spring, the
trees are banded with "Eaupenleim" or some other sub-
stance which will prevent the caterpillars ascending. As
they hatch out they feed on whatever may be available on
the ground, and when all the eggs have done hatching, the
ground is burned over with the cyclone burner. This has
proved the speediest way to exterminate the moth in the
woods where the trees are left standing : but examining; the

O CT1

trees and burning over the ground are very expensive

TIIK (iVPSV MOTH. 43

methods. Although in o)u>n and cultivated lands'the de-
struction of eggs is considered one ot'the most efficacious and
practical methods of dealing with the moth, this is not the case
in badly infested woodlands, where, unless lire is also used,
all that can be done by eirg-killing, even at a great expense,
is to partially check the evil. Yet in badly infe.-ted localities
all the egirs possible must be destroyed to prevent a great
increase and dissemination of the caterpillars, for their ex-
pansive e nenry increases in proportion to their numbers.

There are two methods of coping with woodland colonies,
which, under certain conditions, have proved more effectual
than egg-killing. These are spraying with arsenate of lead,
previously mentioned, and banding the trees with burlap.
Neither of these methods alone, however, can be depended
upon to exterminate, but either will dispose of most of the
moths. To secure extermination either of these methods
must be supplemented by others, such as egg-killing, cutting,
burning, etc., as circumstances may require.

It is well known that in 1891 spraying with Paris green
for the gypsy moth proved to be a partial failure, and very
little spraying was thereafter done until the discovery and
successful use of arsenate of lead. Spraying, however, has
its disadvantages, and cannot be used over a large extent of
territory with results proportionate to the expense required.

There is only about one month of the year during which
the most effective spraying for the gypsy moth can be done.
This period is from about the l">th of May, when the larger
proportion of the caterpillars have hatched out and the foliage
has reached a certain size, to about the lf>th of June, when
all the caterpillars have appeared, and most of them have
reached an age when they will cluster under the burlap. If
within this short spraying season there are two or three
weeks of rainy weather, very little effective spray ing can
be done, as the poison will not stay on the leaves unless
they are dry when it is sprayed on. Therefore, although
spraying may be very effective in certain localities and in
certain seasons, it cannot al-.vay.- be depended upon. The
short sea-on also makes necessary a great expenditure for
spraying apparatus, if the work is to be carried on over a
large area. Furthermore, spraying must be done by com-

4+ THE GYPSY MOTH.

petent men and carefully watched, and it is difficult to
secure, for a month only, a sufficient number of workmen
and foremen competent to conduct a great amount of this
work.

A V he n the caterpillars begin to cluster, burlapping may be
done to advantage and it is certainly very effectual. In
order that the burlaps may attract the largest number of
caterpillars, it is necessary to at least remove the under-
growth and dead limbs from the ground. This should be

« i

done, whatever method is adopted, for the undergrowth
facilitates the escape and distribution of the caterpillars.
In order to secure extermination in the woodland colonies,
the dead branches and loose bark must be removed from
certain trees, cavities must be closed, and a careful search
for eggs in the fall must follow burlapping or spraying.
This search will then be a comparatively light t'i>k, for, if
the burlaps are put on early and carefully attended, or if the
trees have been successfully sprayed, comparatively few
moths will be left to deposit eg;/-. To guard against cater-
pillars, resulting from possible scattered eggs, the trees must
be burlapped the following year.

All these methods may be used in woodland, as circum-
stances require, and by a proper combination of them the
best results may be secured at the least expense. To secure
extermination, however, the work must be preceded and sup-
plemented by a thorough and careful search for eggs, pupae,
moths and caterpillars in their season, and it is by this search
that the final extermination of the moth in wood colonies has
been secured and verified.

BlRDS WHICH FEED OX THE GYPSY MOTH.

During the past few years observations which have been
made on our native bird enemies of the gypsy moth have
given us a list of birds all of which are more or less useful
in destroying the moth in some of its forms. The list of
birds observed to feed upon the moth has been increased
from year to year, as the moth has appeared in different
localities. Wherever the moth swarms, some birds will be
found to feed upon it. When it appears in the woods, more

TIIK (iVl'SV MOTH. 45

wood birds feed upon it; when it appears in tho orchards,
orchard birds will be found most useful. In (he vicinity of
swamps or meadows about lakes or streams some of the birds
which frequent these localities are found feeding on it.

AVhero the moths ai" unusually numerous, the limited
number of birds cannot keep pace with the moths' increase,
and therefore can destroy only a small proportion of them;
but when the moths are reduced in number by man, the birds
are of great assistance in tho work of extermination.

Lists of birds found feeding on the gypsy moth have been
given in my annual reports from year to year. The list
published in the last report is tho most complete, and contains
the names of thirty-eight birds.*

Beside the species contained in this list, the red- winged
black-bird (A.gelaius phwniceous, Linn.) and several species
of sparrows not identified have been seen feeding on the
moth. Most of the birds named in the list feed upon the
caterpillars. This is rather surprising, and does not agree
with the generally accepted theory that birds do not eat
hairy caterpillars. Were our birds sufficiently protected,
they might become numerous enough to check materially
the increase of the moth. Unfortunately, however, the most
useful birds are so persecuted that they are few in numbers
and consequently of little assistance. In this country no
birds have been seen to eat the eggs of the moth, and careful
observations and experiments indicate that none of our native
birds will destroy them. This must remain a serious draw-
back to the usefulness of native birds, unless they learn that
the eggs are good for food. We also lack the larger species
of ground-frequenting birds, the unfledged young of which
feed largely on insect larvse. The prairie chicken, wild
turkey and passenger pigeon have long since been extermi-
nated from Massachusetts, and the larger wading birds are
not common in tho worst infested region. Although there
are a few grouse and quail, they are -o persecuted by gunners
that they are not numerous enough to be of much assistance
in destroying the caterpillars, even if they eat them at all.
Although the caterpillars are exposed to the attacks of their
bird enemies upon the trees, only a few birds, like the tow-

* " The Gypsy Moth," Furbish and Fcnuild, pages 207-208.

46 THE GYPSY MOTH.

hee, brown thrush and some of the sparrows, seek for the
moths on the ground in the woods, where they are enabled
to conceal themselves and their eggs among the dead leaves.
I would recommend that an attempt be made to protect and
foster native birds in the Middlesex Fells reservation, and
that careful observations be made of the effect of this policy
on the gypsy moth and other injurious insects.

It has been suggested that European birds might be im-
ported to destroy the eggs on the trees as well as the cater-
pillars upon the ground. I should not advise that this be
done, in the present state of our knowledge of the subject.
At a session of the Congress of the American Ornithologists'
Union, held at Cambridge, Nov. 12, 1896, this suggestion
was the subject of discussion. Among the members of the
union are the most eminent ornithologists in the country.
Dr. J. A. Allen of the American Museum of Natural His-
tory, New York, said there was very little accurate informa-
tion to l)e obtained on the question of the introduction of
birds, for no careful study had been made of the subject.
As a matter of opinion, however, he believed it unwise to
attempt the importation of birds for the purpose. He
thought the importation of the titmice, which are said to
eat the eggs of the gypsy moth in Europe, would probably
result in failure.

Dr. Elliot Coues of WashingtoD said that experience had
demonstrated that the importation of animals from foreign
countries had been either costly failures or costly successes.
Such animals when introduced had become pests in the new
country, and he was strongly opposed to any attempt at
introducing birds.

Other members followed in the same strain. It seemed
to be the general opinion that either the imported species
would die out, or that, if it became numerous enough to be
of any assistance, it might become so numerous as to prove
a nuisance in some way.

Should any study of the enemies and parasites of the gypsy
moth be made abroad, it would be well to investigate there
the influence exerted by birds on the increase of the moth,
and to observe carefully the habits of such birds as may
be found to feed upon the moths' eggs. In this way we

TIIK (iVTSV MOTH. 47

might determine whether the usefulness of foreign birds in
this respect has been exaggerated or underesl iniated, and
form some judgment of the desirability of attempting their
importation

A species of Mongolian pheasant ( rii<tsi<tnnx /ttrt/iHi/i/x)
has already been introduced under the auspices of the Fish
and (lame Commission of Massachusetts, and the chairman
of the commission, Hon. E. A. Brackett, has been engaged in
propagating them for a year. Many are now at liberty, and
have been seen in the infested region. If they winter Avell,
there seems to be little doubt that the introduction will be
successful.

Mr. Braekett has observed that the young pheasants
destroy the caterpillars of the gypsy moth, and, in fact, all
insects within the enclosure in which they are confined. He
has offered to place at our disposal a few of the pheasants
and to furnish eggs for hatching another year, so that experi-
ments may be made with the birds. This bird was intro-
duced years ago into Oregon, Washington and British Colum-
bia. It is said to do very little harm, and as the young,
like the young of most land birds, are said to feed almost
entirely on insects, and as the bird is protected by law, it
may help to fill the gap among the enemies of injurious
insects which has been made by the wanton destruction of
our native gallinaceous birds.

-

THE COOPEKATIOX OF PROPERTY OWNERS.

During the past six years a disposition to co-operate with
the agents of the State Board of Agriculture in the work of
exterminating the gypsy moth has steadily increased among
property owners. In some localities where the moths have
done considerable damage in the past, the property owners
or residents have assisted by killing caterpillars under the
burlaps- during the summer months, and some have assisted in
other ways. Notable among these are (Jen. S. ( '. Lawrence
and Mr. Walter Wright, both of Medford ; Me>-r-. Samuel
and Richard Hawkes of Saugus ; and Mr. Barthold Schlesin-
ger of Brookline. General Lawrence, who owns a sixty-acre
farm and a large tract of woodland near the Middlesex Fells

48 THE GYPSY MOTH.

reservation, has year after year employed men in trimming
out the undergrowth in the infested woods and destroying
the caterpillars by burning, burlapping and spraying. He
has also destroyed a great number of eggs. During the
past summer several men in his employ have been engaged
on his estate in killing caterpillars under burlaps in infested
woodland, and have much reduced the number of caterpil-
lars in these localities. Mr. Walter Wright, whose estate
is neither so large nor so much infested as that of General
Lawrence, has treated many egg-clusters upon both his home
and woodland property, and has burlapped the trees, employ-
ing a man in killing caterpillars under the burlap. Mr.
Samuel Hawkes, who owns a large tract of infested wood-
land in Saugus, has spent much time in searching for the
gypsy moth in these woodlands, and has cut some tracts of
infested trees. He has also given the agents of the Board
information which has been of assistance to them in their
work. Mr. Schlesinger, who owns a large estate in Brook-
line, on which a colony of moths was found this year, has
directed his gardener and the men under him to assist the

~

agents of the Board in every way possible, and these men
destroyed many of the different forms of the moth and
assisted in other ways. The gentlemen who have given
most assistance, as described above, are owners of large
propeity, and are better able to protect their estates from the
ravages of the moth than are most of our farmers and other
owners of smaller or less valuable holdings. The poor man
who rents or owns a small place has neither time nor means
to check the ravages of the moth ; and a farmer with an
orchard, garden and many acres of woodland would better
give up his home at once than spend his substance in fight-
ing the gvpsv moth.

O*; X •/

Respectfully submitted,

E. H. FORBUSH.

APPENDIX

NOTES ox PREDACEOUS INSECTS WHICH ATTACK THJE GYPSY MOTH.

The following papers on predaceous insects were prepared by rny
--'-lants from studies and observations which were made both in the
field and in the iusectary during the summer of lb%.

C. IT. FERNALD.

NOTES ON THE LIFE HISTORY AND HABITS OF
CERTAIX PREDACEOUS HETEROPTERA.

A. H. KIRELANU, M.S., ASSISTANT ENTOMOLOGIST TO THE COMMITTEE ON THE GYPSY

MOTH, INSECTS AND BIRDS.

PODISUS PLACIDUS (Uhl.).

This interesting little Heniipteron, whose predaceous habits
were first recorded by Saunders,* has been repeatedly taken
during the past year while feeding upon the larvae and occa-
sionally pupae of the gypsy moth. In habits and in the
appearance of the early stages this insect closely resembles
P. serieventris, whose life history we have given elsewhere. f
During the summer months of the past year specimens of
P. plncidiix were taken on a great variety of trees and
bushes, their distribution in this respect being governed by
the presence or absence of the insects on which they feed.
The imagoes of the fall brood hibernate and in this region
make their appearance about the middle of May. At this
time the males considerably outnumber the females. In
common with P. serieventris this species is a formidable
enemy of the tent caterpillar (Clisiocampa americana), and
this latter insect generally furnishes the first food supply
of the season for these bugs. P. placidus shows a greater
proclivity for entering the webs of the tent caterpillar than
does P. serieventris, possibly because the shape of its body
renders it better able to force an entrance into the web,
since the humeral processes do not project to such a degree
as in the latter species.

A fortnight or more is spent in feeding before the eggs
are laid, although the sexes are frequently found in coitu
soon after emerging from hibernation. Egg-laying takes

* Can. Kiit., Vol. 2, pp. 15-95. Report Entomological Society, Ontario, 1871, p. 31.
t " The Gypsy Moth," Forbush and Fernald, 1896, p. 395.

52 THE GYPSY MOTH— APPENDIX.

place in from three to ten days after pairing, depending
upon the temperature, warm weather hastening and cold
weather retarding this process. Each female deposits from
two to four egg-clusters at intervals ranging from a few
hours to three days.

The Egg. — The general appearance of the egg (Plate 1,
Fig. 1) so closely resembles that of P. serieventris, both in
size and markings, that the separation of the species in this
stage is extremely difficult. The eggs are deposited in clus-
ters composed of a single layer. From ten to thirty-live
eggs are placed in a cluster, each egg resting on its smaller
end, and connected with the adjacent eggs by means of a
varnish-like cement. The form of the egg is nearly ellip-
soidal, slightly tapering toward the lower end, but not as
caldron-shaped as in P. serieventris. Length, 1 mm. ; width,
.8 mm. Top slightly flattened, and surrounded by a row of
ten or twelve capitate spines, arranged around the margin
of a circular cap. The surface of the egg is covered with
minute spiny projections, not abundant at the lower end of
the egg. When first laid the eggs have a pearly white
color which soon changes to a deep bronze. The period of
incubation extends over eight or ten days, according to the
temperature. The circular cap at the top of the egg is
pushed off by the young bug at the time of hatching, but
usually remains attached at one point.

First Stage. — The newly hatched bug (Plate 1, Fig. 2)
is 1.7 mm. in length. Form ovate. Head and thorax dark
seal brown, abdomen vermilion. The head is much wider
than long, closely appressed to the prothorax, and bears
large compound eyes, which, from their relative size, are
quite conspicuous. Antennre four jointed, basal joint stout,
nearly concealed beneath the margin of the head. Second
joint cylindrical, three times as long as basal joint ; third
joint cylindrical, three-fourths as long as second joint ;
fourth joint one-half longer than second joint and consider-
ably dilated ; all the joints bear scattering hairs. The ter-
minal joint is seal brown in color, the other joints being
copper colored.

Till-; (iYTSY M<>TII--A1TKM>IX. 53

Thr thorax is dark In-own with a Taint median >ulen-.
The po.-tcrior margin of the meta-thorax is tinned with red.
Immediately Itehind the posterior angles of the thorax, on
each >ide, i- a small dark-l>rou n wedge-shaped spot, arising
from the outer margin of the abdomen. Following this spot
and extending on either side to the anus there is a border
of semi-elliptical spots of similar color, one spot on each
-eminent. At the anus there are three small markings of

O

the -amc color, On some specimens, bordering; the interior
margins of the dark-brown spots, there is a faint undulating
white line extending around the abdomen. On the dorsum
of the abdomen, about equi-distant from each other and the
posterior margins, are two transverse copper-colored spots.
Between the anterior of these spots and the thorax there
are two narrow transverse markings of similar color.
Under surface of the abdomen reddish brown ; legs of
,-imilar color, but somewhat darker. Tarsi two jointed.
Beak extending to hind coxre, of same color as legs. In
this stage these insects are in general phyllophagous. The
first molt takes place in about seven or eight days.

Second Stage. — (Plate 1, Fig. 3.) Length, 3 mm.
General form same as in preceding stage, except that the
head is quadrate and the abdomen larger in proportion to
the size of the head and thorax. These latter are pitchy
black in this stage. AVith the exception of the terminal
joint, which is shorter, much darker and less dilated, the
joints of the antenna1 retain their relative length.

The abdomen is dark red. Marginal spots black and
bordered on the inner margin with white. Behind the
thorax on the dorsum of the abdomen are two large trans-
verse dark-brown spots, which in some specimens are
nearly fused together. Posterior to these spots are two
smaller t ran.-versc markings of similar color. Under sur-
face of head and thorax dark brown. Legs and beak of the
same color. Abdomen same color as upper surface. In
this stage the insect develops predaceous habits. The
second molt takes place in about twelve days.

Third /Stage. — (Plate 1, Fig. 4.) Length, 5 mm.
General form of body as in preceding stage, but the head

54 THE GYPSY MOTH — APPENDIX.

is not quite as large in proportion to the rest of the body.
Head black, eyes quite prominent. Antennae black, basal
joint stout, projecting about one-third of its length beyond
the margin of the head. Second joint four times as long as
basal joint, cylindrical, slightly dilated at the outer end.
Third and fourth joints about two-thirds as long as second
joint. Fourth joint slightly dilated, but not as much as in
the preceding stage.

Thorax entirely black, margined by a distinct white or
cream-white line. The color of the thorax and the white
margin distinguishes the insect in this stage from the cor-
responding stage of P. serieventris. Abdomen of same
color and with similar markings as in preceding stage,
except that of the four dorsal spots the two middle ones are
the largest, the anterior and posterior spots being narrowed
transversely. Colors of under surface and legs as in pre-
ceding stage. In this stage, as well as those which follow,
the insect is almost entirely predaceous.

Fourth Stage* — (Plate 1, Fig. 5.) Length, 7 mm.
Head, thorax, wing-pads and scutellum intense pitchy black.
Joints of antenna1 as in third stage ; basal and second joints
seal brown, third and fourth joints black. Thorax mar-
gined with white, as in preceding stage. Both the marginal
and dorsal spots of the abdomen are closely appressed.
Across the dark-red ground color of the abdomen fine white
transverse lines connect the lateral and dorsal spots. The
same variation in color observed in P. serieventris also oc-
curs here, and in some specimens the white lines predomi-
nate to such an extent as to give the abdomen a light
striped appearance. Under surface of body yellowish
brown. On the median line near the end of the abdomen
are three small, somewhat circular black spots. Femora
straw colored, marked longitudinally with brown ; tibiae
of same color at junction with femora, shading downward
to a dark seal brown. Tarsi dark brown varying to
black.

In this stage the insects feed voraciously. The fourth
and last molt, in specimens under observation, took place
in about twenty-two days from the preceding molt, but I

TIIK (iYPSY MOTH- -APPENDIX. 55

think under natural conditions flic period spent in this stage
would be somewhat shorter.

I have lieen unable to find in the literature at my disposal
any description of the imago of this species, and it seems
doubtful if such a description has l>een heretofore published.
At my ret|iiest Prof. P. R. Uhler has kindly prepared, for
publication iu this connection, the following characteriza-
tion of the species : —

tis 2~>1acidus Uliler. -- (Plate 1, Fig. G.) "Of a narrower
and more oval form than P. serifi'<<ntri*, with a head somewhat
tapering anteriorly, and rounded at tip instead of being truncated,
and with the humeral angles rounded off and very moderately
prominent. Color pale testaceous, stained with pale browu and
punctate with darker brown. Head much longer than wide, de-
pressed, remotely punctate, the edge retlexed, brown; each side
of tylus is a slender browu line which is triangularly expanded
on the base of the vertex ; occipital margin dark browu in the
middle, pale and narrowly callous each side ; a pale callous line
extends back from each ocellus ; throat whitish testaceous ;
cheeks with a slender black line before each eye ; eyes browu,
bordered with testaceous behind; antennas pale browu, paler at
base and on the two last joints ; the basal joint testaceous, very
short, the second longest, third scarcely more than half the length
of the second, fourth about three-fourths as long as the second,
fifth a little shorter than the fourth ; rostrum stout, pale testa-
ceous, reaching upon the posterior coxa?, the apical joint narrow,
about as long as the preceding one, brown. Pronotum with the
sides >traighter than usual, the lateral margin narrowly callous,
pale ivory yellow, and with a few indented points and small teeth
before the middle ; the submargin with a brown line, surface with
wavy, transverse pale lines between the pale browu marbling,
UK ire generally brown behind the middle; posthuineral margins
slightly shmated ; anterior margin callous, having a small group
of coarse punctures behind each eye ; punctures sunken, brown,
mostly not close together in the transverse series; posterior mar-
gin truncate. Scutellum long, bluntly rounded and margined
with white at tip, punctures in short transverse series, grouped iu
about three spots at base. Corium slenderly bordered with pale
testaceous, more broadly covered with brown at base and. on tin-
disk. the veins posteriorly yellow ; membrane pale bronze. LI
minutely speckled with red. the tibia* and tar-i a little stained with
brown. Under side finely punctate, the sternum with two series

56 THE GYPSY MOTH-- APPENDIX.

of black points. Connexivum depressed, punctate, the outer
ivory white, callous and marked with t\vo black points at each
incisure of the segments ; the upper surface yellow, with the black
points more linear. Length to end of abdomen, 8i to 10i mm.
Width of pronotum, 4| to 6 mm.

" Through the kindness of many friends, I have had the oppor-
tunity to examine specimens from the provinces of Quebec, Onta-
rio and Columbia, in British Americs, from nearly ail of the New
England States, "besides Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Colorado.
The genital segment of the male is deeply excavated, and with
two short processes on the middle. The tergum is often bright
red, which color becomes brownish in more mature specimens.
The humeral angle is usually more or less black. In some speci-
mens there is a series of minute black dots each side of the venter,
and a few obscure spots distributed over the ventral surface."

There are undoubtedly two annual broods of the insect
in this locality, and it seems probable that in especially
favorable seasons there may be three broods.

The nymphs and imagoes of this species fraternize with
those of P. serieventriSj although this appears to be wholly
accidental, and depending upon food supply. I have found
P. placidus feeding upon the larvae of Euvanessa antiopa,
llt/phantria cunea, Or<jyi<i l(jucostigma, 0. definita, CUsio-
<-(inipa americana (previously mentioned), C. disstria and a
small, undetermined saw-fly larva common on oaks.

One must note with regret that this decidedly beneficial
little insect, which destroys so many injurious species, is
preyed upon by two spiders which are common occupants
of tent caterpillar webs, Epeira .v/r/.<: Hentz and Plridippus
mult iform is Em . *

DENDROCORIS noiERALisf (Uhl.) (Plate 2, Fig. 8).

This small Pentatornid was originally described by Prof.
P. E. Uhler (Bulletin United States -Geological Survey,
Art. XIV., page 399) under the genus Liotropis. Ac-
cording to Montandon, this generic name is preoccupied
(Uhler in litt.), and the insect should be placed in the
genus Dendrocoris. The specimens from which the original

* These spiders were kindly identified by Mr. J. H. Emerton.
t Identified by Prof. P. R. Uhler.

TIIK GYPSY .M<>TII--AITKM>IX. 57

description was prepared were taken in Massachusetts, New
Jersey. Maryland and Colorado, and from its wide distrihn-
tion and occurrence on many plants the opinion was e.\-
prc»ed that the species was predaecous in habits. That
sneh is the case our observations of the past two year-
at lord ample evidence. AVe have repeatedly found thi-
diininntive TIemipteron engaged in destroying tent caterpil-
lar-, and on several occasions have taken it in the act of
feeding upon gypsy moth larva1.

While as yet we have been unable to rear this species
through its transformations, the dates of our captures of
nymphs and imagoes lead us to the opinion that the insect
is double-brooded, and doubtless hibernates in the imago
state.

Description of Full-grown ^t/utp/t. — (Plate 2, Fig. 7.)
Length, 5 to 6 rnrn. Body broad, very compact. Head
somewhat sunken in prothorax, deeply cleft in front, thickly
dotted with reddish brown and margined with black. A
very short and very blunt spine projects laterally in front
of either eye. Eyes dark brown, bordered posteriorly with
sordid yellow. Prothorax thickly punctured with dark
brown except at lateral margins, which are of a pale yellow
color. At the humeral angles the dots arc aggregated into
a dark brown or black spot. Scutellum and wing-pads of
the same color as prothorax, except that the outer anterior
part of each wing-pad is marked with reddish yellow.
Abdomen pale yellow, heavily dotted with vermilion.
On the lateral margins of each abdominal segment there is
a semi-elliptical black spot, which is divided by a narrow
yellow band extending parallel to the margin. On the dor-
sum are five transverse black spots, each of the three ante-
rior being divided transversely by a yellow line. The spot
immediately behind the scutellum is quite narrow ; the sec-
ond and third spots are large and prominent ; the fourth and
fifth scarcely more than short transverse black lines.

Under surface of head and thorax amber yellow, heavily
bordered with black. There is a small white spot at the
base of each antenna. Abdomen of the same general color
as upper surface. Antenna1 dark brown throughout ; first

58 THE GYPSY MOTH — APPENDIX.

joint stout, scarcely reaching the margin of the head ; sec-
ond joint over three times as long as basal joint ; third and
fourth joints each about one-half as long as second joint.
Legs pale amber, darkening to brown on tibiae ; tarsi dark
brown .

This species is widely distributed throughout the region
infested by the gypsy moth, but does not occur in such
numbers as do its allies in the genus Podisus. I have taken
specimens in Medford, Maiden, Saugus and Revere, while
Professor Uhler records it from Andover, Lynn and
Chaiiestown.

EUSCHISTUS POLITUS Uhl. (Plate 2, Fig. 12).

A rare member of our heteropterous fauna is a small
Euschixtux, which, previous to the past summer, had been
occasionally taken under such circumstances as to give the
impression that it possesses predatory habits. Specimens
of the insect submitted to Prof. P. R. Uhler were considered
by him to be new to science, and at my request he has very
kindly prepared the following description : —

Euschistus politus. New sp. — "Pale dull fulvous, or rufo-
fulvous, suboval, with the humeral angles almost rounded and
very moderately prominent. Head narrow, as in E. tristlgmus
Say, deeply and finely punctate, the tylus prominent at tip and a
little longer than the lateral lobes, the lateral lobes deeply siuu-
ated, with the outer margin blackish. A black line extends from
the eye to base of antennae ; antennae (Plate 2, Fig. 13) clay yellow-
ish ; the basal joint short, hardly reaching the apex of head,
marked with a few black points ; second joint longer ; third a little
longer than the second ; fourth longer, dusky at tip ; fifth a little
longer than the fourth, fusiform, blackish excepting at base ;
rostrum pale testaceous, slender, with the seta? piceous, reaching
to the posterior coxas. Pronotum much wider than long, polished,
closely and finely punctate with brown ; the lateral margins very
slightly sinuated, smooth, ivory white ; the submargius blackish ;
humeral angles triangularly rounded ; posthumeral margins almost
straight. An obsolete, callous, imperfect curved line extends
between the humeral angles. Scutellum narrow and bluntly
rounded at tip, where it is also slenderly margined with white ;
the surface is less densely punctate in small spots. "Wing-covers
(Plate 2, Fig. 14) closely punctate ; membrane a little brownish,

Till-: (iVl'sv MOTH --APPENDIX. :.n

the veins and numerous dots darker brown. Legs pale yellow,
remotely dotted with brown. ISenealh pale greenish, finely punc-
tate, highly polished, the pleura' with a ro\v of line bluck dots,
and an extra dot outwardly ; eonnexivum acute, the intersegmental
sutures indented and marked with a black dot. Tergum lilack,
the sutures, exteriorly, with a double black spot. Length to end
of abdomen, 9 to 10 mm. Width of pronotum, f>J, to 0 mm. A
pair of these insects taken in Massachusetts have been kindly
given to me by Mr. A. II. Kirkland. Other specimens have been
sent to me for examination from Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and
the District of Columbia. I have found it once, July 1, in a
sandy pine woods district in southern Maryland. Only a few
specimens have thus far been reported. It seems to be of rather

uncommon occurrence."

A female of this species, confined in a small breeding
cage with larvae of Porthetria dispar (L.) and a number of
oak leaves, deposited a cluster of thirteen eggs upon the
under side of a leaf, June 21, 189G. The eggs were placed
in a single layer. Very unfortunately they proved unfer-
tile, so that I was disappointed in my anticipation of being
:.ble to carry the species through its early stages. The egg
(Plate 2, Fig. 11) may be described as follows : —

Color, pearly white. Length, 1 mm. ; width, .8 mm.
Form, nearly cylindrical, the upper and lower ends being
abruptly flattened. Around the cap at the upper end of
the egg is a row of delicate, elongated, club-shaped spines.
The surface of the egg is covered with small single blunt
spines, between which are numerous similar spines of
microscopic dimensions.

During the past summer I have been able to establish
the fact that this species is predaceous upon the larva1 of
the gypsy moth, thus making an addition to the list of the
natural enemies of this insect. As an enemy of the gypsy
moth it is of only minor importance, and from the slender
structure of the beak I am led to believe that the insect
i-> more of a plant feeder than an insect destroyer.

60 THE GYPSY MOTH — APPENDIX.

DlPLODUS LURIDUS * (Stal).

The members of the group of insects to which this species
belongs possess such marked predaceous habits that they
have received the very appropriate name of "assassin
bugs. " The species under consideration is one of the most
rapacious of our predaceous bugs, and, while occurring in
but limited numbers, its great activity and almost abnormal
appetite render it a formidable enemy to several forms of
insect life.

On May 12, 1896, I took a nearly full-grown nymph in
the act of feeding upon a partly grown tent caterpillar.
An inspection of the tree in the vicinity of the web showed
several other nymphs engaged in the work of destroying
the caterpillars. The nymphs did not enter the webs of
this caterpillar, as do some of our predaceous Pentatoniids,
but devoted their attentions to such larvae as were more or
less isolated and at some distance from the web. One of
these nymphs was reared upon tent caterpillars until May
18, when it assumed the mature form.

Later in the season several imagoes of this species were
found attacking gypsy moth larvae, as well as those of
CUxiocampa amerieana. From a female confined in a breed-
ing cage with a male imago from June 5 to 10 I obtained
June 12 a cluster of thirty-four eggs, which were laid in a
compact mass (Plate 2, Fig. 1) shaped like the frustum
of a cone. | The eggs were closely cemented together and
to the surface on which they were deposited, and could only
be separated with difficulty. The eggs (Plate 2, Fig. 2)
may be described as follows : —

Length, 1.9 mm. ; width at base, .4 mm. ; at top, .3 mm. ;
somewhat curved, widest and rounded at the base, truncate
at the top. The eggs forming the outer layer are of a
burnt sienna color, those on the inside being of a pale
amber. The upper end of the eggs is of a pale yellowish
color, and bears immediately within the circumference a

* For the identification of the species I am indebted to the kindness of Prof. P.
R. rhler.

t Mr. Robert A. Cooley, assistant entomologist, Massachusetts Hatch Experiment
Station, informs me that he has found the eggs of this insect attached to the under
surface of leaves of Ostrya virginica and Betula lenta.

TIIK (JVl'SV MOTH- -APPENDIX. •:!

narrow, circular, dark-brown hand, while ai the centre there
is a small dark-hrou n dot. The areas covered by the cirele
and dot are depressed. Kmhryonic development \vas ap-
parent flune J2, ami on June 2!) the eggs hatched.

/•V/',s7 jStn-.i'-. - -(Plate L>, Fig. :'>.) The newly hatched
bug, with legs and antenna? much longer than the body,
procnts indeed a most unique, appearance. In this stage
the nymph feeds readily on aphids, and does not hesitate to
attack insects considerably larger than itself. Length of
body, '2 nini. ; of antenna?, 4 mm. ; general color pale
am her, darkening after the insect has taken food. Head
large in proportion to the rest of the body, projecting
between the antennae. A transverse groove crosses the
head behind the dark-red eyes. Beak reaching to the
anterior coxae. Basal joint of the filiform antennae as long-
as the three outer joints. These latter are of nearly equal
length. Thorax somewhat longer than either head or
abdomen, with lateral projections on each segment. Legs
long and very slender. Abdomen compact, sparsely hairy,
with well-defined segmentation.

The young bugs were reared on aphids found on Cor;/-
dalis glauca and Hammamelis vii-ijlii'ina. On July 3 nearly
all had passed the first molt.

Stage. — Length, 2.6 mm. General color darker
than in preceding stage. Form similar, but abdomen much
longer in proportion to the rest of the body than in fir-t
stage. Most unfortunately all the nymphs died soon after
passing the first molt. In this stage the nymphs first
showed the habit so common to the imago, of raising the
fore legs above the head upon the slightest disturbance.
The insects were apparently able to walk as well with but
four leg.- us with six.

Full-grown oV//////>// : /•"///•///(/) Simje. — (Plate 2, Fig.
4.) Length, 11 mm. Body slender, elongated ; color light
green, faintly marked with brown. Mead narrow, widc-t
at the eyes, the latter being <>f a brick-red color. Behind
the eves the head is shaded with reddi>h brown. Thorax

62 THE GYPSY MOTH — APPENDIX.

short, with well-developed scutelluni. Wing-pads extend-
ing about one-third the length of abdomen. Abdomen
widened at the middle with lateral flanges developing with
the approach of maturity. Near the posterior margins of
the dorsum of each abdominal segment there is a faint red-
dish-brown spot, from which a light line extends forward
on either side to the anterior margin, then bends at an acute
angle and runs backward to the posterior angles of the seg-
ment. Antenna? filiform. Legs slender, anterior pair the
stoutest ; tarsi brown ; claws dark brown.

Imago. — This species, along with a number of Mexican
Hemiptera, was originally described by Stal in 1862 (Stet-
tinor Entomologische Zeitung, 23 jahrgang, page 452) as
Zehis luridus, from Carolinian examples. Uhler, in his
check list of the Hemiptera Heteroptera of North America
(1880), places the species in the genus I)!i>ltxlux, as es-
tablished by Amyot and Serville in their " Hemipteres ''
(1843), page 370. Lethierry and Severin, in their " Cata-
logue general des Hemipteres" (1896), have replaced the
species in the genus Zelu*. The sexual dimorphism ex-
isting in this species is worthy of note; unless otherwise
informed, one might readily believe that the sexes of this
insect represent different species.

Male. — (Plate 2, Fig. 5.) Length, 13 mm. Body nearly
linear, dark brown, varying to black on the upper surface.
Head narrow, elongated, and projecting to a blunt point
between the bases of the filiform antennae. First joint of
the antennae dilated at base, slender, and of about the same
length as that of the head and thorax taken together ;
second joint one-third as long as first ; third joint over
two-thirds as long as first ; fourth joint about the same
length as second. Eyes prominent, dark reddish brown ;
ocelli large, in rear of the eyes on slight prominences of
the head, which is widened at this place. Base of head
smooth and shining. Prothorax dark brown, varying to
black, rounded posteriorly and with a very small blunt
black spine at the posterior angles. Two semi-lunar de-
pressions extend inward from indentations in the sides of

Till-; (iVl'SV MOTH- -APPENDIX, «;:J

tin- prothorax and meet at the dorsal lino, whence a similar
depression leads forward to the anterior margin. The areas
thus included are slighlly raised. Seiitellmn dark brown or
black, tipped with pale yellow. Wings dark brown.

I'nder side of head and thorax and tip of abdomen pale
sulphur yellow. Remainder of abdomen sordid yellow,
darkest anteriorly. IJeak yellow, brown at tip, reaching
nearly to anterior coxa-. Legs slender ; coxne of same color
a- thorax; femora of same color at base, darkening out-
wardlv. A narrow dark-brown band encircles the femora

«

near their junction with the tibiic. Tibiae and tarsi dark
brown.

Female. — (Plate 2, Fig. 6.) Length, 15 mm. Body
much lighter and stouter than the male. Head pale brown
in front of the eyes, but darker posteriorly. Thorax,
scutellum and wings light yellowish brown. Posterior
thoracic angles acute, tipped with a stout black spine.
Under surface as in male. Antennae pale brown, darker
at joints. Legs pale brown; femora without bands; tarsi
dark In-own.

64 THE GYPSY MOTH — APPENDIX.

NOTES ox CERTAIN COLEOPTERA KXOWN TO

ATTACK THE GYPSY MOTH.*

A. F. BURGESS, B.8.

Among the natural insect enemies of the gypsy moth in
this country, next to certain Hemiptera, the predaceous
Coleoptera should undoubtedly be given a place ; and,
although the latter species are not as beneficial as the Hy-
menopterous and Dipterous parasites in controlling some
of our common injurious insects, their work with reference
to the gypsy moth seems to warrant their occupying this
prominent position. The most important of the beetles
known to attack the gypsy moth are members of the family
Carabida- belonging to the genera Cdlosoma and IIarpalnx<
and, on account of their voracity, size and rapid move-
ments, have long been recognized as formidable enemies to
Lepidopterous larva'. They grasp their prey with the
sharp mandibles, the favorite place being along some of
the dorsal segments, and, after tearing away the integu-
ment, suck up the internal contents. As a rule they do not
seem to show any particular preference as to their food,
since almost all our injurious caterpillars, cut-worms, etc.,
are attacked by them to a greater or less extent, as is abun-

J

dantly shown by reports on beneficial insects.

Another factor which makes the work of these beetles
especially important is the predaceous habits of their larvaj,
which have been known to feed on both the eggs and the
young caterpillars of the gypsy moth. Previous to 1896
the following beetles had been found attacking the gypsy
moth larvae in the field : —

* The studies forming the basis of this paper were made at the experiment sta-
tion and insectary of the gypsy moth committee during the summer of 1896. The
dsscription of the different stages and the drawings illustrating the same were com-
pleted at the entomological laboratory of the Massachusetts Agricultural College,
under the direction of Prof. C. H. Fernald, entomologist to the committee.

TIIK (iVPSV .MOTH - - Al'l'HXDIX. 65

(Fill).), C<il»x»in<t fri'/iilnni Kirhy,
<;ili<ln,n ( Fal). ), Harpalus califfinosus Say., //(irj>«-
j>< inixi/h-diiiciix (DeG.), CiriiKfff" (\-;/nf/ft/n Fab.* Tin1
larva1 of two species of I lorfxihiK have been reported by
Mr. C. II. Kowe as feeding on young gypsy moth cater-
pillars. ritih/niix llinhalu* (Say.) has been found feeding
on the piipiu in the ticld, DeriiH'xff* l<ir<l<iriiis Linn., reared
from pupa.% and Ptinns brunncns Duft., reared from the
ei:ir-cl usters. Several undetermined beetle larva? have also

•

been found feeding on the eggs.f

No new species have been found this year attacking the
"•ypsv moth, but the life histories and habits of some of the

I"~» I

more important of these beneficial insects have been investi-
gated, with a view to obtaining a more accurate knowledge
of the conditions favorable to their multiplication. The
following- pages contain the points of interest learned con-
cernini: these beetles, together with notes on the life histo-

« C2

ries of Ccdosoma frigidum and (7. calidum.

Dixtrilmtton. — The species of Calosoma and Haiydlus
above mentioned are as a rule quite generally distributed
throughout the infested district, although they occur chiefly
in sections to which, by reason of their peculiar habits,
they are particularly adapted. Of these species, Calosoma
scrutator is the least common, no doubt, for the reason that
its large size, brilliant color and clumsy movements render
it more susceptible to the attacks of its various enemies.
Its occurrence is limited chiefly to wood and brush land. I
am informed that the C'.iloxomas, especially scrutator and
calidum, are very abundant in brushland near the salt
water at Belniont, X. J., so much so that it is very common
for vi-itors to catch the brilliantly colored scrutator and
wear it as an ornament. The occurrence of this species, in
eastern Massachusetts at least, is more limited, and it is
considered by many local collectors as a very rare beetle.

Calosoma frigidum i- much more common, and is found
in orchards where the gra>- lias not been cut, in wood and

•Reported }>y Mr. Samuel Henshaw, Bulletin No. -jr., r. S. Dept. Agri. Div-
Ent., ]i:u
t '' The Gypsy Moth," Forbush aud Fernald, pages :JM and 385.

66 THE GYPSY MOTH — APPENDIX.

brush land ; and I have taken specimens in the early sum-
mer (June 4) on the trunks of the large street elms in the
city of Medford. Seven specimens of this insect were
al-o taken by Mr. C. E. Bailey and myself in a small orchard
in the same city. These latter were running about at the
roots of the tall grass at some little distance from the trees.
Judging from the experience this season, it would seem
that, although this species is much more abundant than
xi'i-ufa/or, its distribution is local rather than general, as is
the case with caliilum. The latter, popularly known as the
fiery caterpillar hunter, is the most common species, and is
very frequently found in thickly populated sections.

The two species of Harpalti* arc common in cultivated
land, and are often found under stones or rubbish in past-
ure- and to a uftore limited extent in woodland. The mem-
bers of the group Carabidse occur in localities where there
is either natural or artificial protection. This is especially
noticeable in wooded areas, where there is good forest cover
and a moderate amount of moisture. A stone wall often
furnishes them an excellent place of shelter, and it is not
uncommon to find them when tearing down walls in the
early spring.

One very significant fact has been noted this year, viz.,
that in localities where the beetles had been very common
in previous years, no traces of any could be found even
after careful search. This may perhaps be explained by the
fact that the brush and rubbish which had served for their
hiding places had been cleared up by the employees of the
department, causing them to migrate to more suitable
quarters.

Habits of the Beetles. — Many observations tend to show
that the members of the genus (Jalosoma are nocturnal as

O

well as diurnal in their habits. While sugaring for moths
at Amherst in June, 1893, I took two specimens of Calo-
soma calidum. They were very active, and had climbed up
one of the trees to the sugar band, a distance of five feet.
Mr. A. H. Kirkland has also taken a specimen of this same
species at Amherst, running about at 10 P.M., apparently in
search of food. The stomachs of several toads which were

THE GYPSY MOTH— APPENDIX. 67

captured late in the evening, upon examination by Mr.
Kirklaml wore found to contain specimens of (JitlnxnuKi
caliiltttH intai-t, they having undoubtedly been s\vallo\vcd
only a short time previous. Calosoma frig id nm observed
in confinement has boon found to feed at night as well a-
during the day. These facts show that the members of this
genus under observation accomplish a great amount of good
by their nightly raids against injurious insects.

Bearing in mind the fact that the gypsy moth caterpillars
feed at night and seek shelter during the day, and that these
beetles are active, climbing the trees at night, and are also
busy >e;iivhing out food in sheltered places during the day,
we are led to believe that they are most valuable allies.
The feeding habits of the different species vary somewhat,
although all have been taken on the trunks of trees and
under burlaps during the day. As a rule the number of
gypsy moth Iarva3 killed on the trees depends upon the size
and agility of the beetles. In point of efficiency they rank
in the following order: frigidum, cdlidum and scrutator;
fri'jiilnni is most skilful in this respect, and has been ob-
served not only to feed on a vertical surface but to support
itself and feed on the under side of a horizontal branch. A
rise in temperature seems to stimulate their activity and the
desire for food. Specimens of Calosoma frig idum observed
in confinement during very hot weather were more active,
ate more and laid a greater number of eggs than when the
weather was cooler. When the temperature fell still lower
they sought the ground, ate very little and seldom laid
eggs. As far as observed, the members of this group de-
pend entirely on their well-developed legs as a means of
locomotion, although both sexes offrigidum have been ob-
served to vibrate their hind wings in confinement, but when
thrown in the air thev do not make the slightest effort to

*/ O

fly.

Specimens of O. frigidum while confined in cages have
been fed. in addition to the gypsy moth larva-, pupa- and
imagoes, the following caterpillars, which they ate freely : —

Euvanessa antiopa, Grapfa progne (V), Protoparce celettx,
Hyphantria cunea, Enchcstes egle, Ilalesidota caryce, 11.
maculafa, Orgyia definita (pupa also), O. Uncostly ma

68 THE GYPSY MOTH — APPENDIX.

(pupa also), Datana ministra, D. major, D. integerrima,
(Edemasia concinna, A.ttacus promethea, A. cecropia, Clisio-
campa americana, C. disslria, A.cronycta sp., Rhynchagroh's
alternata, Noctua c-nigrum, Leucania unipuncta, Pf/rophila
pyramidoidex, and Catocala sp.

3fefhod of rearing Predaceous Coleoptera. — From the
fact that the adult beetles not only spend part of their time
in the ground, but that the eggs are laid in the soil and the
young grubs are beneath the surface the greater part of
their existence, accurate observations on the early stages
are rendered quite difficult.

As a preliminary to the study of the early stages and
habits of these insects, the limited literature upon the sub-
ject was carefully sought out and examined, although but
little assistance was thus obtained; and active operations
were commenced in the spring of 1896, as soon as living
imagoes became available.

In order to compare results, the work was begun along
two lines, both with a view to approaching as nearly as
possible to natural conditions. One set of observations
was made on beetles in breeding cages, out of doors, while
the other set was made on a limited number of beetles con-
fined in small glass jars, whe-re they could be more closely
watched.

For the first purpose, use was made of the cages devised
by Mr. Kirkland in 1895, for studying the feeding habits of
the imagoes. These were attached to trees near the insect-
ary. They were made of wire netting, bent into a nearly
cylindrical form. The edges were fastened to the two sides
of the tree trunk, the lower end extending down into the
ground and the upper end covered by a piece of cloth, one
side of which was secured to the tree, the other covering
the top of the wire screen cage and held in place by a rub
ber strap, the ends of which were fastened to the trunk of
the tree.*

In one of these cages two males of C. frig id am were
placed June 6, but at the end of ten days both had died.
The beetles of the same species which were placed in the

* " The Gypsy Moth," Forbush and Fernald, page 384.

TIIK (JYl'SY MOTH --APPENDIX. 69

oilier cages escaped in sonic unknown \v:iy, and, :is the
chance of finding the eggs in such cages \v:is very small,
further attempts along ihis line were abandoned.

For the oilier line of invest igat ion, common jelly tum-
blers, containing aboul two inches of earth, were used, tin-
tops ot the jar- I >eing covered with pieces of mndin which
were held in place by rubber bands. A pair of beetles
were placed in each jar. with gypsy moth larvae for food
and with fresh leaves to serve as food for the larva?. At
lir>l the jars were kept in the insectary, but when the
weather became excessively hot it was thought best to
place them out of doors, and a large box with a screen cover
was selected for the purpose. The jars were examined
daily, and when eggs were found in the earth the beetles
were changed to other jars, those formerly occupied not
being disturbed until the eggs hatched, when the earth was
examined and the number of young larvae carefully noted.
Great care had to be exercised in not allowing the grubs
to remain together too long, as under these conditions they
soon develop cannibal tendencies, and readily devour each
other.

During the extremely warm weather, about the middle
of July, many of the grubs which had heretofore seemed
healthy began rapidly to sicken and die. Thinking that
perhaps more natural conditions could be obtained, I
made a cage consisting of a box twenty-four inches long
and tive inches square, the lower end being covered with a
wire screen. The box was sunk in the ground and nearly
covered with soil, the top being covered with muslin held
in place by an elastic band. Although great care was
taken to feed and watch the grubs, at the end of eight day-
all had died. Later more young grubs were placed in the
cages, but the results were very unsatisfactory. On ac-
count of these di-couraging results, careful attention was
given to the insect- confined in the jars. Later in the sea-
son a number of eni:- of C. /'/-A//'/"/// and C. calidinn were

, , »' .'

thus obtained, and, upon hatching, the young larv;e were
isolated. A part ol'the.-e larva- remained healthy, and with
oreat care I was able to rear a few through their successive

o °

stages.

70

THE GYPSY MOTH — APPENDIX.

LITE HISTORY OF CALOSOMA FRIGIDUM Kirby.

Oviposition. — The eggs are laid at intervals of a few days
from early June until about the first of September, the
length of this period depending somewhat on the weather.
Soon after pairing, which takes from one to two and one-
half minutes, the female beetle seeks the ground. The eggs

are deposited from one-eighth to two inches below the sur-
face, and are often laid at night. They are dropped sep-
arately, without any regularity of arrangement. The
greatest number of eggs deposited by a single female in
twenty-four hours was seventeen.

The following table shows the record of the pairing and
egg-laying of nine female imagoes of O. frigidum. The
jars in which the beetles were confined were examined
daily, but the days when no eggs were found have been
omitted from the table. The figures indicate the number of
eggs found ; the sign " X " indicates that the beetles were
observed to copulate; the "?" indicates that a greater
number of eggs than are here recorded were doubtless
originally deposited in the jar, but that upon hatching a
part of the 3roung grubs were probably consumed by the
older larva1. The figures in these cases give the number of
larvre actually found in the jars at the time of examination.

DATE.

No. 2.

No. 3.

No. 5.

No. 6.*

No.T.f

No. 84

No. 9.

No. 10.§

No. ll.|j

June 4, .

X

X

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

5,. .

17

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

6,. .

-

1

6

14

-

-

-

-

-

7,. •

-

-

4

2

-

-

-

-

-

8,. .

-

Xl

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

9,. .

-

-

-

8

-

-

-

-

-

10,. .

-

-

X

-

-

-

-

-

-

11,. .

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

12,. .

-

-

-

12

-

-

-

-

-

* Laid well while the weather was hot and food plenty.

t No eggs laid after male died.

J Although seven weeks together no eggs were laid.

§ No eggs laid until male was received.

|| Male feeble when put in.

TIIK (JYPSV MOTH — Al'l'KMUX.

71

DATS.

N... 2.

No. 3.

No. 5.

No. 6.

x... :.

No. 8.

No. 9.

No. 10.

No. 11.

Juno 17, .

-

-

X

-

Put in
.luiio I'.i.

Put in
Juno Hi.

-

-

-

21,. .

-

-

X

-

-

-

-

-

-

26,. .

-

-

1

-

-

-

Putin
.TiiM.--J«;.

Put in
June 27.

Putin

• 'nut1 '11.

July 11, .

died.

"

™

~

•"

~

Kale

ivri-i\ M

from
No. 3.

-

13,.

-

-

Male
died.

14

-

-

-

2

14,. .

-

-

-

5

X

-

-

9

i:., . .

-

-

-

-

-

-

7

16,. .

-

-

4

2

-

-

-

-

17,. ..

-

-

2

-

-

-

_

18,. .

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

_

20, ..

-

-

5

-

-

-

_

21,. .

-

-

2X

-

-

-

-

-

22,. .

-

-

6

Male
died.

-

-

-

-

23, ..

-

-

X

-

-

-

-

-

24,. .

-

-

-

10 X

-

-

-

-

26,. .

-

-

12

-

-

-

-

27, . .

-

-

-

6X

-

-

-

4

28, ..

-

-

6

-

-

-

_ _

29, ..

-

Female
died.

-

-

-

-

-

-

31,. .

-

-

11

-

-

-

_

_

Aug. 1, .

-

-

13

-

-

-

_

4,. .

-

-

2?

-

-

-

-

5,. .

-

-

4?

-

-

-

_

_

6,. . -

-

-

10 ?X

-

-

-

-

ff

-

-

-

10

-

Female
died.

Male
receiv'd

-

inn in.

No0.™.

8,. .

-

-

7?

-

-

-

-

-

10, ..

-

-

9

-

-

-

-

Male
died.

11,. .

-

-

2

-

-

-

-

-

1 , . .

-

-

8

-

-

-

-

-

LS . .

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

19,. .

-

-

-

2

-

-

-

-

17

4

11

186

3

-

-

23

72 THE GYPSY MOTH — APPENDIX.

As will be seen by the table, the beetles show a great
difference as regards the number of eggs laid ; but the fact
is also noticeable that no eggs were deposited by any
female which had not paired. There were very few cases
where the eggs failed to hatch, and these I think were due
to the injuries the eggs may have received while removing
the beetles from the jars. Probably the number laid by
female No. 6 is the nearest typical, though doubtless under
favorable natural conditions the number would be materially
increased.

The E;/f/. — (Plate 3, Fig. 1.) The eggs are somewhat
elliptical in form, but slightly larger at one end. Although
subject to variation, they measure 4 mm. in length and
1.9 mm. in diameter, and are of a light straw-yellow color.
With a lens or low power of the microscope the surface of
the egg looks perfectly smooth, but if the contents are re-
moved and the shell placed under a high power it is found
to be very finely reticulated. These markings (Fig. 2)
are pentangular in form, and may be readily observed on
shells mounted in glycerine jelly. Sometimes the eggs
change their form and become slightly kidney-shaped before
hatching. The color, however, does not change. The
time spent in this stage is from four to ten days.

First Larval Stay*.-- (Plate 3, Fig. 3.) At the time of
hatching the young larva is of the same color as the egg, but
graduallv ixrows darker, until in about ten hours it is of a

O v O

dee}) shining brown. After remaining in the cavity occupied
by the egg for about twenty-four hours, the larva comes to
the surface of the ground in search of food. At this time
the length is 8 mm., including the caudal appendages, which
measure 1 mm. ; the width at the middle of the first tho-
racic segment is 1.7 mm., from which point the body tapers
gradually to the last segment. The head is large in pro-
portion to the body, longer than wide, somewhat flattened,
and truncate behind. The clypeus is separated from the
epicraniuni by a well-defined suture, which extends to the
base of the antenna, dividing the raised portions from which
they arise. The front edge of the clypeus is emarginate,

THK (JVl'SV MOTII--A1'I'KM>IX. 7ii

and bears a prominent hair at each anterior angle. There
are also three pair- <>t' hairs situate*! on (lie forward part of
the clypeus and t\vo pairs directly between the eye-, one
])air being on the1 cly])eus and one on the epieraniuin.
Antenna1 setaceous, four jointed and ferruginoi.-. Kyes
conspicuous, and situate*! in groups of six each, on slight
elevations just behind the antenna'. The mandibles are dark
brown in color, long, simple, stout at base, but <|iiite pointed
at the tip, the left mandible often folded over the right . The
maxilla1 and labium are small, ferruginous and provided
with well-developed palpi. Prothorax large, as long as the
me-o- and meta-thorax, slightly contracted and rounded
posteriorly. Meso-thorax slightly rounded posteriorly :
meta-thorax truncate. Lateral edges of the bodv segments

O t .

slightly produced. Dorsal line prominent on all the seg-
ments except the last. On the dorsuin of each thoracic seg-
ment there are ten short hairs, one on the anterior part of
each lateral margin, one at each angle of the segment and one
on each side of the dorsal line at the anterior and posterior
margins. Abdominal segments, nine in number, with the
exception of the last, truncate behind, the last segment being
rounded posteriorly and bearing a pair of caudal appen-
dages. Each segment except the last bears six hairs, one
on each lateral margin and two on each side of the dorsal
line at the posterior margin. The last abdominal segment
bears a pair of hairs on each lateral margin, but none on the
dorsuin. The caudal appendages are entire, although prob-
ably jointed at the base, and bear numerous hair-. The
spiracles are situated just below the dorsal plates. The
ventral portion of the body is of a yellowish white except
the portions which are strengthened by chit inous plates.
These are of the same color a- the dor-al part of the body.
Legs well developed, provided with -tout spine- which are
e-pecially prominent at the joints, the tarsi hearing two
claw-. The last body segment hears on the posterior
ventral portion an appendage which serves as a proleg and
aids in locomotion. The larva remains in this stage about
four days. Molting is accomplished by a splitting of the
thoracic plates along the dor-al line : the head, mouth parl-
aild legs are then withdrawn and the exuvia- forced back

74 THE GYPSY MOTH — APPENDIX.

over the posterior end of the body. The newly molted
larva is of a pale straw color.

Second Stage. — (Plate 3, Fig. 4.) Length, 15 mm.;
width, 3 mm. Form somewhat stouter than in the preced-
ing stage. Head relatively smaller, flattened, as wide as
long ; eyes less prominent. Clypeus deeply emarginate in
front and feebly incised at the middle. Antennae and mouth
parts relatively the same as in the last stage ; the body,
however, is of a somewhat paler brown color. All the body
segments except the last are truncate behind, and bear
a well-defined dorsal line. The first thoracic segment is
broadest posteriorly and gradually narrows toward the
head, but is not quite as wide as the two succeeding seg-
ments. The hairs are arranged the same as in the first
stage, except that two pairs of hairs arise on the lateral
edges of each segment up to the last, which bears only one
pair. The caudal appendages are entire but not quite as
prominent as in the previous stage, and the legs are a little
more slender. The time spent in this stage varies from
four to eleven days.

Tli ird Stage. — ( Plate 3 , Fig. 5 . ) After molting the larva
measures 22 mm. in length and 4 mm. in width, and is of a
light mahogany-brown color, which soon changes to a dark
seal brown. The mandibles are stout, and bear a prominent
carina. The clypeus is deeply bilobed in front, the hinder
border separated from the epicraniuin by a somewhat indis-
tinct suture. Prothorax narrowed in front and much wider
behind. Caudal appendages each provided with a blunt
spine, which is thickened at the base and arises from the
dorsal surface. When full grown (Plate 4, Fig. 1) the
larva is very stout, and measures 32 mm. in length and 6
nini. in width. A detailed description of the full-grown
larva follows : —

The head is of medium size, slightly flattened and of the
same color as the body. Clypeus somewhat shield shaped.
A faint line separates the clypeus from the epicranium and
reaches to the base of the mandibles, but does not divide
the raised portions which bear the antennae. Front edge

TIII-: <;vi'sY MOTH APPENDIX. 75

o!' dvpeii- ,-tronglv bilobed, each anterior angle bearing a

I 1 •

prominent spine: top of the clypeus -.lightly hollo\\'e<|
toward the dorsal line. The spines are the same in number
and arrangement as in the previou- -tage-. Eyes near base
of antenna-, not prominent. The antenna1 (Plate 3, Fig. (!)
are setaceous, short, lour jointed, and ari-e from an e|e\a-
;ion at the l>a>e of the mandibles. First joint short, cylin-
drieal and naked : -econd joint nearly twice as Long, slightly
clavate and hearing a sliort hair near the middle of tlie
outer margin: third joint a little shorter than the -econd.
somewhat clavate and having one anterior angle -lightly
produced, and bearing three spines, which arise near the
outer angles ; la-t joint as long as the first, nearly cylindri-
cal and bearing three spine- at the apex. Mandibles large,
stout at ba>e, with a prominent dorsal carina. A strong,
-imple, blunt tooth (Fig. 9) arises near the ba-e. The
mandible gradually tapers from the outermost insertion ot
this tooth to a somewhat chisel-shaped point. The maxilla.1
(Fig. 8) are small, ferruginous in color, and are den-ely
covered with hairs and spines. They bear four-jointed,
naked palpi, which are nearly as long as the antenna.'. The
three inner segments of the maxillary palpus are short,
stout, truncate and of nearly equal length ; the terminal
joint is slightly longer than the two preceding joints, ob-
loni:' ovate in form and truncate at the tip. The galea or
inner lobe is naked, two jointed and as long as the three
basal joints of the palpus. Lacinia prominent and hearing
a >pine at its apex. Labium (Fig. 7) small, somewhat hal-
bert shaped, with numerous .-pines arranged in an oval row
on the inner side. Palpi t wo jointed : outer joint the longer
and truncate at lip.

The dorsal thoracic plate- are large, and nearly cover the
lateral thoracic walls, while the dor-al abdominal plate-,
with the exception of the la-t, are .-mailer, and allow the
lateral walls of the abdomen to protrude. Dor-ai line not
prominent. Kach abdominal plate except the la-t bear-,
near the posterior margin, a very feeble lr:insver>e carina.
Spine- are arranged &s in the preceding -tage. The la-t
-egmeiit (Plate 4, Fig. h i> relatively -mall, nearly trun-
cate behind : the caudal appendage- of modi-rale length, and

76 THE GYPSY MOTH — APPENDIX.

each bears on the upper surface a large, blunt, horn-like
protuberance, which is terminated with a bristle. Numer-
ous other hairs occur on these caudal appendages. The
ventral portion of the body is yellowish white except the
parts which are strengthened by chitinous plates.

Spiracles seal brown, nine on each side, borne in shallow
depressions just below the lateral edges of the dorsal plate,
ion the meso-thorax and on each abdominal segment except
the last. Those on the abdominal segments are small and
circular, while the thoracic spiracles are decidedly larger
and elliptical in outline. Legs (Fig. 7) small, very muscu-
lar and spiny. Coxfe very stout, dark brown ; trochanters,
femora and tibia' slender, reddish brown; tarsi of same
color, one jointed and bearing two simple claws. The anal
proleg is slender, tapering and bears a number of short
-pint's. This appendage serves the double function of act-
ing as an organ of locomotion and also containing the cav-
ity into which the rectum discharges. General color of
under surface sordid white, varying to light gray, variously
marked with light seal-brown patches. Head and anterior
part of prothorax seal brown. Two lateral rows of elon-
gated markings of similar color extend along the body
beneath the spiracles. The upper row terminates on the
penultimate segment, the lower row on the last segment.

The markings forming the upper row are single and
entire on the first two thoracic segments ; on the meta-
thorax there are two spots, the anterior being the smaller.
On the abdominal segments the ruarkino-s are somewhat

O C

circular, two to each segment, a large orbicular marking
being followed posteriorly by a smaller one of similar shape.
The markings composing the lower row are in general
elliptical, and occur singly on the segments stated. On
both the rneso- and meta-thorax there is a single small brown
spot on the median line. In a corresponding position on
each of the following segments except the last two, and
near the anterior margin, there is a large elliptical, trans-
verse, seal-brown spot. Posterior to this marking on each
of the segments mentioned there is a transverse row of four

C

small spots of similar color. On the last two segments the
.median spot is quite large and somewhat pentagonal in out-

THE GYPSY MOTH - Al'l'KM >l X . 77

line. The transyerse n>\v of Miiall spots occurring <»n the
preceding -egmcnts is hen- absent.

After the last molt the larva feeds for about three weeks,
during which time it grows very rapidly. It then ceases
feeding, burrows a little distance below the surface of the
ground and makes a small chamber. The bodv shorten-

*

somewhat , and in less than a week pupation lakes place,
and is accomplished in the same way as the molting in the
previou- -tages. In several instances the larva- have molted
three times before pupating.

ri'/m. — (Plate 5, Figs. 1, 3.) Eighteen mm. long, 6.4
mm. wide at the lirst abdominal segment. Oblong, some-
what elliptical and flattened. General color of the body
pale amber. Head medium, somewhat flattened in front
and strongly depressed beneath the thoracic segments.
Kyes prominent, seal brown in color. Antenme and month
parts free, translucent. Prothorax broader than long, con-
siderably narrowed behind ; meso-thorax emarginate in

» G

front and two-thirds as long as the meta-thorax ; all sepa-
rated by well-defined sutures. Wing-covers translucent
and extending beyond the third abdominal segment. Ab-

fj «/ ^j

dominal .segments nine in number, the sides of the body
protruding beyond the dorsal portions. The lateral edges
of abdominal segments two to six are produced to a blunt
point, within which is a. slight depression. Penultimate
segment slightly depressed; last segment greatly depre-sed
beneath the body, and bearing on the posterior margin a pair
of small anal stylets. Each of the first iive abdominal seg-
ments bears a narrow brush of erect brown hairs, which ex-
tends two-thirds of the distance across the segment (not
shown in Fig. 1). 'Fhe nine pairs of spiracle- are light
chestnut brown, and are situated in the >ame relative posi-
tion a- those of the larva; they. -ire larger, however, and
elliptical in outline, t!i<>-e on the meta-thorax being the
large-t. Legs free, lran-lucci:t ami nearly surrounded by
the wing-covers.

Unfortunately all the larv:e reared to pupa- died before
(•merging, heii'-e I am unable to give the length of the period
spent in tin- stage.

78 THE GYPSY MOTH — APPENDIX.

Imago.* — Length, 18 to 22 mm. General color metallic
black above and greenish black below. Thorax and elytra
bordered with a more or less greenish band. Head medium
in size, profusely punctured. Mandibles (Fig. 5) large
and prominent. Third joint of antennse (Fig. 4) slightly
compressed. Prothorax small, narrowed posteriorly, the
lateral edges slightly produced.

The posterior two-thirds of segment bears a quite promi-
nent impressed dorsal line. Thorax with granular punct-
ures. Elytra striate, each bearing three rows of small
impressed greenish dots. Under side of the body some-
what wrinkled and punctured. Fore tarsi of the female
(Fig. 6) simple. Fore tarsi of male (Figs. 7, 8) have the
first tour joints hairy beneath ; this character is not only of
value as a means of determining the sexes, but is also of
specific importance.

CALOSOMA CALIDUM (Fab.).

A male and female Calosoma calidum, which were taken
early in September, 1896, were immediately placed in a
breeding jar. On September 3 they were observed to
copulate, and on the following day fourteen eggs were found
in the jar. Three of these eggs were preserved for study,
but, owing to the death of a number of the larvae during
the early stages, only four pupated. From these survivors
the following1 brief notes on the life history of this species
were prepared : —

Egg. — (Plate 4, Fig. 2.) Length, 4 mm.; width, 1.7
mm. Form similar to that of C. frigidum, but tapering
somewhat more toward the lower end. Color, light amber.
Hatching took place in seven days from the date of ovi-
position.

First Stage. — Length, 8 mm.; width, 2 mm. at third
thoracic segment. Form ellipsoidal, tapering more gradu-
ally toward the last segment than in the corresponding
stage of C. frigidum. General color of the body and

* For figure of imago see "The Gypsy Moth," Forbush aod Fernald, Plate 53,
Fig. 1, 1896.

Illi: GYPSY M()TlI--AlMMv\l>I\. 79

UlOUth parts dull black, not shining. Head large, a- lonir
a- wide, dorsal surface flattened; palpi prominent, Imi-cr
than antenna-. Posterior margin of Hit- head somewhat.
em argin ate at the centre. First thoracic segment as long
as the two following, slightly wider llian the head and edge-
produeed laterally. All the body segments except the last
are truncate behind, and hear ;i prominent impressed dor-al
line. Caudal appendages present, simple and provided with
numerous spines.

Ventral portion of the body nearly pure white, but is
profusely covered with small black chitinous plates. Spir-
acles nine, black, circular and arranged just below the
lateral edges of the dorsal plates. Anal proleg moderately
stout. After feeding for a week the larvae molted.

Second Stage. — Soon after molting the larvse became
black and measured 18 mm. in length. Body somewhat
stouter than in preceding stage. Head longer than wride,
emarginate behind. Prothorax wider than the head. Dor-
sal line quite prominent. Abdominal segments truncate
and slightly produced laterally. The second molt occurred
at the end of a week.

TJiird Stage. — The following description was not made
until the larva was almost ready to pupate. Length,
30 mm. Color, dull black. Head of medium size, flat-
tened, truncate behind. Clypeus slightly broader in front
than in C. frigidum. Strongly bilobed. Suture between
clypeus and epicranium sub-obsolete. Mandibles stout, the
large tooth (Plate 3, Fig. 10) near the base being deeply
cleft on the inner margin. Prothorax longer than the head,
the hind angles slightly curved. Meso- and mela-thorax
smaller, but similar in shape, each thoracic segment bearing
four pairs of hairs on the dorsal plate. The abdominal
plates one to seven of the same form ami bearing a moderate
carina near the posterior edge of the segment. Kiirhth
segment a little larger, slightly wider, and also bearing a
carina, lateral edges of each abdominal segment bearing
three short hairs. The last segment (Plate 1, Pig-. 5, <!)
small, posterior angles produced backward, but hind edge

80 THE GYPSY MOTH — APPENDIX.

of segment truncate ; caudal appendages long, blunt, spiny,
slightly depressed, and bearing on the upper surface a
hump-like protuberance provided with a few spines. The
spiracles are nine in number, and are arranged the same as
in C. frigidum; the color, however, is black. Legs small
and spiny, tarsi bearing two claws. The anal proleg is
stout and covered with numerous short hairs. The under
surface is of a purer white than in C. frigidum, but bears
similar markings. The latter resemble those of the pre-
ceding species in form and arrangement, but are slightly
darker in color. The spots composing the first lateral row
are more elongated, and all the ventral spots are somewhat
larger than in the preceding species. The time spent in
this stage is about one month, of which about three weeks
are passed in feeding. When full grown the larva burrows
into the ground to a depth of several inches, and after pre-
paring a cavity throws off its skin and goes into the pupa
stage.

Pupa. — (Plate 5, Fig. 2.) The pupa resembles that of
C. frigidum very closely, but is stouter and less compressed
at the anterior and posterior ends. Other differences occur
in the shape of the prothorax, which is not nearly as
rounded in front as in C. frigidum. The anterior margin
of the meso-thorax is transverse ; the lateral projections of
the dorsal abdominal segments are not as marked as in C.
frigidum. Anal stylets larger, more prominent. Brushes
of hairs present on the first five abdominal segments. The
figure shows a part pushed out from beneath the last ab-
dominal segment. All the pupaB died before spring.

Habits of the Larvce. — The larvae of this genus of beetles
are called indiscriminately by the common names of ' ' cut-
worm lion," " corn grub killer," etc., although these names
have been referred more particularly to the larva of (7.
calidum. The reason for such names is very apparent,
since the larvae are often found in gardens, and do a great
amount of good in killing cut-worms and other injurious
caterpillars. They have also been reported as feeding on
the Colorado potato beetle larva (JDorypliora decemlineata) ,

THK (JYl'SY MOTH- UTKMUX. <M

ranker worms ( I'almrrihi vernota), May beetle ( ' L< /<•//, ,,/.s-
/Vr//^ /ttsc<i\, eggs of tin- Kocky Mountain locust and nu-
merous cut-worms.

Mr. F. II. Mosher informs me that lie has found the-e
larva- quite numerous during the past summer under bur-
laps on an estate in Brookline \vhieh was quite liadly
infected by the gypsy moth. AVithout doubt the>e in>ecN
would do a great amount of good by killing the gypsy moth
larva- which "would seek shelter below the burlap. If 1 1n-
habit of hiding in concealed places on trees, as under loose
bark, etc., is constant among these beetle lame, a great
many of the caterpillars as well as eggs of the gypsy moth
must be destroyed every season. In confinement I have
found that larvae of C. frigidum will feed quite freely on
the gypsy moth egg-clusters.

The amount of food consumed by a larva of (7. fri<//</nu/
in confinement was as follows : during the first stage one
small cut-worm, three second-molt gypsy moth larva) and
one third-molt gypsy moth larva ; second stage, two fall web
worms (ffypkantria cunea),oue larva ofDatana ministra, one
army worm (Leucania unipuncla) and one-half of a gypsy
moth egg-cluster ; third stage, two Datana integerrima, two
D. minixtm, one Atlacus promethea and six army worms.

Under natural conditions this amount would be prob-
ably somewhat increased. The larvae also ate gypsy moth
pupa? quite readily, especially directly after pupation, be-
fore the bodies had become hard, the most favorable
place for attack on the hardened pupa- being a point at the
base of the wing-covers.

The larvae are very ferocious, and do not hesitate to at-
tack a caterpillar on account of its size or strength. They
commonly grasp the victim by some of the ventral seg-
ments, and cling with great tenacity until the caterpillar
succumbs. If perchance the little larva is shaken oil', he
persistently renews his attack with greater xeal than before.
After succeeding in cutting a hole through the integument
with his sharp mandibles, he sucks in the vi-eem (.t' hi-
prey and often becomes gorged almost to the point of burst-
ing. He next repairs a- rapidly a- hi> condition will allow-
to a place of shelter, for which loose leaves, ruhbi-h or

82 THE GYPSY MOTH — APPENDIX.

something of this description serves his purpose. Here he
remains dormant for a short time, when he is ready to start
out again in search of more prey.

Wintering or Hibernation of Carabidce. — During the
winter and early spring occasional trips were made to
different parts of the infested district in order to learn,
if possible, how this group of insects spends the winter.
Species from the following genera were collected : Pterosti-
elms, A.mara, Platynus, Lebia, Dromius, JPinacodera, J3ra-
chynus, Harpalus, Anisodactylus. Mr. W. S. Blackley
reports in Psyche 217 species of Carabidse collected in the
winter in Virgo County, Indiana.

There can be little doubt of the fact that many of this
family spend the winter in the adult stage.

On March 22, 1896, I received from Mr. TV. C. Colt a
specimen of Oychrus lecontei (Dej.), which he found on the
trunk of a tree in Medford on the previous day. Doubt-
less this insect hibernated as an adult.

In addition to the foregoing, the fact that Calosoma cali-
iliini was taken less than a month later leads to the conclu-
sion that the Calosomas as a rule hibernate as adults,
although it is possible that they may pass the winter
in some other stage.

Natural Enemies. — Many natural influences conspire to
limit the numbers of these beneficial insects. From their
large size and conspicuous colors they cannot be otherwise
than an attractive article of diet for some of our larger in-
sectivorous birds. The pungent odor given off by these
beetles would seem to be in a measure a means of defence ;
yet it is a well-knoM'n fact that some birds, like the crow,
appear to prefer such malodorous insects.* In this con-
nection it may be of interest to record that the fluid pro-
ducing the characteristic odor of C. calidum is ejected by
the beetle as a fine spray.

On one occasion, while examining the earth in a jar
containing a female Calosoma calidum, on touching the
back of the beetle with a brush a fine spray struck my face,
which was about eight inches distant from the beetle. It

* See " The Common Crow," Bulletin Division of Ornithology and Mammalogy,
Barrows-Schwarz, page 59, 1895.

THK (iVI'sv MOTH --APPENDIX. 83

had a very pungent odor, and produced a stinging sensation
on the skin. Sonic that struck in the corner of my e\e \\a>
\ery painful until the eye was washed with water. The
iluid is probably expelled from anal glands, as in the case
of the allied genii*, />/v/r//y////x. I ndoubtedly tlie in>ecti\-
orous birds are the chief agency in checking the increase of
thc-e in>cct-, although the terrestrial habits of the beetle-
render them an ea-y prey to the ever-watchful toad, while
in woodlands many are probably destroyed by skunks. I
have been unable to observe any of our common birds feed-
ing upon the-e beetles, yet it seenis probable that they mav
be devoured by the majority of those insectivorous species
known to seek a part of their food upon the ground. In
this class ( i entry * gives the following as feeding upon the
Carabidiv: the crow, blue jay, king bird, black-billed
cuckoo, yellow-billed cuckoo, hairy woodpecker, downy
woodpecker. Forbes records the robin, f cat bird and sev-
eral thrushes as attacking Carabidte, while Beal J states that
thirteen per cent of the food of the purple grackle consists
of carabids. The same author § notes the occurrence of
Oalosoma <-<iU<lnm in the stomach of a red-headed wood-
pecker, while Schwarz || found that this species is commonly
devoured by the crow.

One would hardly expect that so ferocious and strongly
chilini/ed an insect as Q '. calidum would sutler from the at-
tacks of parasites, yet that such is sometimes the case is
evident from the fact that on June ii, 1896, I took a speci-
men of this species which bore on the side of the prothorax
a cluster of nine Dipterous eggs. After keeping the beetle
a few days in confinement he became sluggish and finally
died June 12. On the 2*th seven Hies had emerged, and
on opening the beetle the empty pnparia were found within.
'I he flies were sentto Prof. L. O. Howard, Washington, !>.('.,
and were referred to Mr. I). W. ( loquilletl , who kindly iden-
lilied them as I^inlnlrn'tni-i-rii. rt//i>xt>,//(e Coq., a species

that he has bred in California from Calosoma jperegrinator.

* "Bird- I'emisylvaiiiu," 1*77-

t Bulletin :\, Illinois State Laboratory of National IliMorv. ISMI.
I Year I lited States D.M.arlnirnt of A-ricnlimv, 1MM, PULV '-'in.

{ Bulletin No. 7, Unit'1'! Star.-- Dcpurtiiicnt of Ai-'riculturc, Division of Ornithol-
ogy and MaiiiinaloL'y. ]ia_'r -J1. lv .
|| " The Common Cro\v," page 59.

84 THE GYPSY MOTH — APPENDIX.

EXPLANATION OF PLATES.

PLATE 1: Fig. 1, egg of Podisus placidus Uhl., . . . . X 13

2, first stage of P. placidus, . . . x 9

3, second stage of P. placidus, . . . . X 6

4, third stage of P. placidus, . . . X 4

5, fourth stage of P. placidus, . . . . X 3

6, imago of P. placidus X 3

7, male genitalia of P. placidus, greatly en-

larged.

8, female genitalia of P. placidus, greatly en-

larged.

PLATE 2 : Fig. 1, egg-mass of Diplodus luridus (Stal), enlarged.

2, single egg of D. luridus, greatly enlarged.

3, first stage of D. luridus, greatly enlarged.

4, full-grown nymph of D luridus, . . . x 2

5, male imago of D. luridus, . . . x 2

6, female imago of D. luridus, . . . . X 2

7, full-grown nymph of Dendrocoris humeralis

(Uhl.), X 3i

8, imago of D. humeralis, X 2^

9, head of imago of D. humeralis, greatly en-

larged.

10, antenna of D. humeralis, greatly enlarged.

11, egg of Euschistus politus Uhl., greatly en-

larged.

12, imago of E. politus, . . . . . X 2|

13, antenna of E. politus, greatly enlarged.

14, wing-cases of E. politus, greatly enlarged.

PLATE 3 : Fig. 1, egg of Calosoma frigidum, . . . . x 4-j

2, reticulations on egg shell, . x 300

3, first laval stage of C. frigidum, . . x G

4, second larval stage of C. frigidum, . . x 4

5, third larval stage of C. frigidum, . . . X 3|

6, antenna of larva of C. frigidum, . . x 20

7, labium of larva of C. frigidum, . . X 20

8, maxilla of larva of C. frigidum, . . . x 20

9, mandible of larva of C. frigidum, . . x 20
10, mandible of larva of C. calidum, . . . x 20

PLATE 4: Fig. 1, full-grown larva of C. frigidum, . . x 24

2, egg of C. calidum, . . . . . x 44

3, full-grown larva of C. calidum, , . . X 2i

THE (iYl'SY M()TII--A1M>KM)1\. *:>

PLATK 4 : Fig. 4, last abdominal segment of larva of ftjVtyititifn, x r»

5, last abdominal segment, of larva of <'. <•. ///'//<//*, X &

6, last aliiloininal segment of larva of (.'. rnli<lmn,

showing cavity in anal proles, . . X 5

7, larval leg of C. fri<tidnm, . . . X 12

8, labiura of C. fri</i<!inn (imago), . . . X 10

9, maxilla of C. fri</i<litm (Imago), . . . X 10

PLATE 5 : Fig. 1, pupa of C. jri<jidnm (dorsal view),

2, pupa of C. cnli'linii (dorsal view), .

3, pupa of C. friijiilmn (lateral view), . . X 3i

4, antenna of C.friyidnm (imago), . . . x 5

5, maudil)le of C. frigidnm (imago), . . . x 10

6, fore leg of female C. frigiditm, . . . x 4

7, fore leg of male (7. fri</i<linn, . . . . X 4

8, fore tarsus of male (7. friyidum (under sur-

face), ........ x 4

Plato 1.

a

: j

7

Plate

1 1

1 4

1 O

1 2

4t\.

Plate 3.

10

A.i .

cicl.

I'l:it«- I

r

I'l.-ito 5.

A.F.B

e 5 A'

, Qel.