18 



The Pupa>. - -When the caterpillars have changed to pupae en- 

 closed by their cocoons, these may be gathered, although the work 

 is likely to be attended by severe inflammation of the skin from 

 contact with the nettling hairs. Cocoons thus gathered should 

 be placed in a barrel covered with mosquito netting, so that any 

 parasites may escape while the moths are confined. Brown-tail 

 moth pupas are most numerous during the latter half of June. 



The Moths. --As has already been mentioned, the moths assem- 

 ble in great numbers around electric and other lights. It often 

 occurs that a lamp pole on a morning during the flying season is 

 covered by hundreds if not thousands of the winged moths. In 

 such cases the free use of the hose will wash down and kill the 

 insects. No effective form of lamp trap has yet been devised, and, 

 in fact, it is not at all clear that the brown-tail moth can be com- 

 bated economically in the winged stage. 



A SUMMAKY OF THE LAW. 



In the suppression of the gypsy and brown-tail moths, certain 

 duties under the law devolve not only upon the Commonwealth 

 but also upon cities and towns and upon citizens as individuals. 

 Attention is hereby called to chapter 381 of the Acts of 1905, 

 which defines these duties at length and which is printed in full 

 at the end of this bulletin. 



The following summary of the law is designed to give its salient 



points : - 



The Moths are Public Nuisances. 



The gypsy and brown-tail moths are declared public nuisances 

 and their suppression is required. 



The Superintendent of Suppression. 



A superintendent, appointed by the Governor, with power, sub- 

 ject to the Governor's approval, of appointing agents and assist- 

 ants, has entire general charge of the work of suppressing the 



moths. 



Duties of Cities, Towns ami Individuals. 



Cities and towns (under the advice and general direction of the 

 superintendent, and by such agent as they may designate or ap- 

 point) are required, under penalty for neglect, to destroy the eggs, 

 pupae and nests of the gypsy and the brown-tail moths within their 

 limits: 



Exci'/il i//ij that such work is not to be done by cities and towns 

 on property controlled by the Commonwealth ; nor is it to be done 

 upon private property, excepting where the owners of the same 



