200 CVl'SV AND BROWN-TAIL MOTHS. [Jan. 



JOINT REPORT OF PROF. R. BLAXCHARD, 



( UNIVERSITY DE PARIS) MK.MHKE DE L'ACADEMIE DE MEDECINE, SECRETAIRE 

 .!. 1)1' ('i)MITK I'KKMANKNT DE CONGRES . IXTERXATIONAUX DE 

 ZOOLOGIK, 



AND 



DR. G. HORVATH, 



MKMBRE DE i.'A< ADKMIE DES SCIENCES DE HOXGRIE, DIRECTEI-R DE LA SECTION 

 ZOOLOGIQUE DU MUSEE NATIONAL HOXGROIS, AXCIEX DlRECTEUR DE LA 

 STATION ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE L'ETAT DE HOXGRIE. 



Dr. L. O. HOWARD, Chief, Bureau of Entomology, Dcpartnu/it of 



Agriculture. 



DEAR AND HONORED COLLEAGUE : - - European entomologists are f ol- 

 lowing with the liveliest interest the efforts which for three years y>u 

 have hoi'ii makinjr looking toward the destruction of two species of 

 European Lepidoptera, unfortunately introduced into the United States. 



We knew by the reports already published upon this subject the 

 grave character of the devastations done in Ameriean plantations by 

 the .-.vpsy nmtli (I'nrtliflnn tli*ii<i>-) and by the brown-tail moth 

 (Eit/irocti* fli ri/xorrl, (i'<i) : we knew also what persevering efforts were 

 being put forth by you, and by the other distinguished entomologists 

 placed under your orders, in the struggle against this plague. 



However, it has been very pleasant to be able to visit the laboratory 

 at North Saugus, directed with so great competence by .Mi-. Kirkland. 

 The excursion which we have made through the country has allowed us 

 to estimate the extent of the damage, and we were further confirmed 

 in our opinion that it was necessary to take the most energetic measures 

 to stop the pest. These measures, we are convinced, are planned in the 

 most rational and most intelligent manner by the new processes put in 

 operation. The destruction of the eggs of the caterpillars, or of the 

 nests, in the forests and orchards is surely an excellent method; but it 

 demands a considerable force of men, and necessitates \ery heavy ex- 

 penses; it is only an artificial proceeding, and is useful only on condition 

 that it is continuous. 



In European countries, where the Lepidopterous insects in question 

 live and multiply without causing loss to an unnecessary degree, there 

 i-- e.-tahlished a kind of equilibrium, thanks to the struggle \\liich exists 

 amoni: 1 injurious insects and their natural enemies. It should be pos- 

 sible (n establish a quite entirely similar equilibrium in oilier countries. 

 You have had the ingenious idea of attempting 1 |,, bring 1 this about, and 

 yon ha\e the ability to reali/e by experience the nece<-ary biological 

 conditions. That is why you have undertaken to introduce in America, 

 in the ti\e Slates of the Union which are directly concerned, the insects 

 which normally in Europe attack the two injurious species and limit 

 their de-t rucl i\ e act ion. 



