108 GYPSY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTHS. [Jan. 



imported parasites would be destroyed ; but I repeatedly expressed 

 the opinion before the legislative committees, that, if the work for 

 extermination should stop, it would be of the greatest importance 

 to make a thorough and exhaustive investigation of the subject of 

 parasites and to import such as would destroy these two moths. 



The work of importing parasites is not so simple a matter as 

 one might suppose, and should be undertaken only by a skilled 

 entomologist. This work was begun last summer, and we were 

 so fortunate as to enlist the services of Dr. L. O. Howard, chief 

 of the Bureau of Entomology of the Department of Agriculture, 

 Washington, D. C., one of the foremost entomologists in the 

 world, and one who has probably given more real scientific study 

 and investigation to the subject of parasites and parasitism than 

 any other living entomologist. Dr. Howard visited Europe last 

 summer for the express purpose of studying the parasites of the 

 gypsy and brown-tail moths, and of making arrangements for 

 successive shipments of them during the year ; and it is to be 

 hoped that he will be able to go over again next summer and 

 continue the work he has begun with so much energy. 



It is not to be expected that foreign parasites, even when suc- 

 cessfully introduced, will produce results at once, for it will take 

 time for them to multiply and increase to such an extent as to ma- 

 terially reduce the number of the caterpillars upon which they 

 feed. It is not even certain that the parasites of these two insects 

 when brought to this country will accomplish the purpose for 

 which they were imported. This work is entirely experimental, but 

 it is certainly desirable to give it a faithful trial. In the mean time, 

 every effort should be made to suppress these moths and prevent 

 their spread into the uninfested parts of the State ; so that, if the 

 parasites fail in their work, these insect pests may be kept within 

 their present limits rather than scattered over the entire State. 



I am glad to know that it is the purpose of the present manage- 

 ment to thoroughly investigate this matter of importing parasites 

 and to adopt every possible means for their successful introduction. 



Respectfully submitted, 



CHARLES H. FEUNALD. 

 AMHEKST, MASS., Dec. 15, 1905. 



WORK AGAINST THE BROWN-TAIL MOTH. 



The work against the brown- tail moth webs began in 

 several cities and towns about November 20, and by Decem- 

 ber 1 the foliage had fallen sufficiently to permit of general 



