24 GYPSY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTHS. [Jan. 



MOTH COLONIES OUTSIDE or MASSACHUSETTS. 



The development of serious infestations of the moths in 

 neighboring States is at present of importance to the work 

 in this Commonwealth only so far as the danger of the rein- 

 festation of our cleared towns is concerned. That such 

 colonies do exist outside the State practically confines the 

 policy of work in Massachusetts to suppression only, with- 

 out attempt to reach absolute extermination. In fact, the 

 time when either pest could have been exterminated has 

 long since passed. The superintendent has kept in touch 

 with the developments in the neighboring States through 

 correspondence with experts interested in the matter, and 

 is thus enabled to present a brief summary of the conditions 

 there existing. 



Gypsy Moth. 



At Providence, R. I., there now exists a considerable, 

 widely diffused gypsy moth colony in the residential section. 

 Egg clusters are common in street trees in many parts of 

 the city, and as a result there has been and will continue 

 to be a continuous scattering of caterpillars by means of 

 vehicles a scattering which will increase yearly unless 

 vigorous action is taken against the pest. The apathy of 

 the authorities who should deal with the matter is regrettable. 

 If the moth is neglected, the trees of Providence will soon 

 suffer severely, while it is quite possible that from this large 

 colony a part of the southern border of Massachusetts now 

 free from the pest will be exposed to infestation. 



After the central office inspectors had located the gypsy 

 moth along the New Hampshire border, from Methuen to 

 Salisbury, the superintendent communicated with State 

 Entomologist E. D. Sanderson at Durham, N. H., and 

 suggested that the insect probably occurred in that State, 

 and that it would be most desirable to have an examination 

 in.'ido there by a trained man. At Professor Sanderson's 

 request Inspector John Sweeney was temporarily released 

 from our service, and in a few weeks' time located the moth 

 along the coast line from Seabrook to Portsmouth a 

 notable avenue of travel. So far no gypsy moths have been 

 found in Maine. 



