64 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



FOREST INSECTS AND DISEASES. 



Spruce Bud Worm. 



The increase in numbers of this insect, during the past three 

 years, has given just cause for alarm among the owners of 

 spruce, fir, larch, hemlock and white pine. We are constantly 

 receiving letters from wild land owners and particularly from 

 owners of summer camps who are dependent upon the beauty 

 of their trees for a large part of their summer business, telling 

 u"^ of the enormous damage being done to their trees by this 

 most serious pest. Many of the islands along the coast seem 

 to offer particular inducements to this insect and here we find 

 them especially abundant. Along the highways in every part 

 of the state, evidence of their work is plainly apparent. 



During the latter part of this season, parasites in the form of 

 spiders have accomphshed a great deal in controlling them and 

 it is to be hoped that in another season we will find they have 

 been more or less exterminated. 



The caterpillar begins feeding when the growth starts in the 

 spring and becomes matured about the middle of June. It then 

 transforms into a dark brownish-black chrysalis, emerging about 

 ten days later into a small grayish-brown moth. The flight of 

 these moths continues from the latter part of June up to the 

 latter part of July, during which time they deposit their eggs 

 hi small oval patches on the side of the needle. These hatch 

 in about a week and feed on the terminal shoots of the branches 

 for a short time before hibernating as small caterpillars in a 

 shelter near the bud. The larvae are about four-fifths of an 

 inch long, reddish brown in color, with small, light reddish 

 spots. 



In the woodlands we must depend upon parasites for their 

 control, but in groves or where the trees are particularly valu- 

 able a better and most efficient method would be to spray with 

 arsenate of lead, two and one-half pounds to 50 gallons of 

 water, as soon as the new growth starts in the spring. Birds 

 and other parasites also control them to a certain extent. 



Blm Le'af Beetle. 

 In addition to the work done in York and Cumberland coun- 

 ties during the past few years, new and relatively large infes- 



