9 



There can be little doubt that the gypsy moth occurs over a 

 considerably larger area than the foregoing. Owing to the exist- 

 ence of large colonies of the moth on main lines of travel in eastern 

 Massachusetts, it seems probable that the insect will be found ulti- 

 mately at least throughout the eastern part of the State. Outside 

 the State it now occurs in southeastern New Hampshire, Provi- 

 dence, R. I., and Stonington, Ct. 



Where to look for the Gypsy Moth. 



The Egg. From August to May the egg masses of the gypsy 

 moth may be found in places near which the moth emerged from 

 the pupa case. In laying, the female moth chooses tree trunks, 

 the under sides of limbs, sheltered crotches and holes in trees, 

 hollow trees, crevices in or under rough bark, etc. The egg 

 clusters are also found on shrubbery, buildings, scattered and 

 heaped rubbish, barrels, boxes and similar objects standing out of 

 doors, wood piles, stone piles, fences, walls, boulders and the like. 

 Gypsy moth egg clusters have been found upon an immense variety 

 of objects, and occasionally may be seen in almost any situation 

 that is not too far from vegetation. The tendency is to deposit 

 the eggs on the lower or inner surface of an object. The moths 

 disregard all rules when they swarm in a place, and their egg 

 clusters may then be found plentifully in sight as well as out, and 

 in all sorts of places, even within buildings. 



The Caterpillar. - - From May to August the caterpillars may 

 be found in various stages of growth, diminishing in numbers 

 rapidly after July 15. In the spring the small caterpillars should 

 be looked for on the foliage, feeding principally on the under side 

 of the leaf. As the caterpillars grow, they molt or cast their skin 

 several times, and these molted skins are characteristic signs of 

 the presence of the moth. As the caterpillars acquire size, they 

 commence to feed by night, and during the day seek shelter, 

 generally in clusters, on the shady side of tree trunks, beneath 

 large limbs, under rough or loose bark, in holes in trees, under 

 fence rails, in walls, stone heaps, rubbish piles, in short in any 

 accessible place offering shelter from the sun and the birds. 



TJie Pupa. Gypsy moth pupse are most abundant during the 

 latter half of July. They are to be found in the same situations 

 as are chosen for depositing the egg clusters, and not infrequently, 

 also, in the foliage of trees and shrubs. 



The Moth. The peculiar zigzag flight of the male moth has 

 already been noted. The large, white, conspicuous female moths 

 sit or crawl on tree trunks, etc., near their pupa cases. In July 



