REPORT OF STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. 71 



ing and tin patching the orchard trees, as well as the life his- 

 tory and hiding places of the moth. 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 



I am glad at this time to acknowledge the help received from 

 others interested in the work ; the advice and assistance received 

 from the Government Field Agent, D. M. Rogers, which has 

 been freely sought and as freely given. To the inspectors, fore- 

 men and members of the field force I am glad to acknowledge 

 my obligations for loyalty to the department, and their efficiency, 

 to which in no small measure is due the success obtained. 



PARASITES. 



A considerable number of parasites and natural enemies of 

 the gypsy moth have been received at the laboratory in Melrose, 

 Mass. These have been liberated and conditions at the present 

 time seem to warrant the hope that eventually much good will 

 result from this work. It should be borne in mind, however, 

 by those who are over enthusiastic as to the possibility of con- 

 trolling the gypsy moth by means of parasites, that there are but 

 few cases on record where work of this kind has been entirely 

 effectual. Until it has been demonstrated that natural enemies 

 can control the situation it is folly to curtail the amount of work 

 which is being employed for the destruction of this pest. 



The following is a list, of the infested towns and the condi- 

 tion of same as far as it is possible to learn at this time. 



KITTERY. 



The work here has been done faithfully and intelligently by 

 the crew located in the town, but for all that the infestations 

 have increased to quite an extent. During the fall scout in Oc- 

 tober over 150 new colonies were found on trees along the high- 

 way, which indicates that the same had been brought from New 

 Hampshire on automobiles or other conveyances. The old in- 

 festations have been carefully attended, with excellent results. 

 The scouting has been carried on with the same care as here- 

 tofore, with the result of finding and destroying 3749 egg clus- 

 ters. 



