O1A. .*<* 



THE GYPSY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTHS. 



During the year 1907 work against the gypsy and brown-tail 

 moths was vigorously prosecuted along the general lines found 

 to be desirable and effective in previous years, it being prac- 

 tically a continuance of the policy outlined in the report for 

 1905. In brief, it has been a continuation of the effort to re- 

 duce the numbers and check the spread of the moths: first, by 

 keeping the trees overhanging streets, boulevards, railroads or 

 other lines of travel free from these pests; and second, by fol- 

 lowing up the work previously done in destroying the moths in 

 the principal residential sections, where in past years so much 

 damage and annoyance have been caused by these pests. Added 

 to this, a beginning has been made on the problem of dealing 

 with the insects in the badly infested woodland sections. The 

 work of importing parasites has been continued on even a larger 

 scale than heretofore, and with better prospects of ultimate suc- 

 cess in securing the establishment of effective natural checks on 

 the increase of the moths. During the late fall and early winter 

 scouting operations a thorough inspection by trained employ- 

 ees have been carried on along the western border of the in- 

 fested region, particularly in Worcester and Middlesex counties, 

 with the result that a considerable number of small gypsy moth 

 colonies have been found in towns which we have previously 

 been unable to thoroughly examine. The importance of locat- 

 ing and stamping out these incipient colonies cannot be too 

 highly emphasized. 



Of the recommendations made by the superintendent in his 

 last report, practically all were adopted by the Legislature as 



