REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY AND BOTANY 47 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



ONLY ONE BROOD IN THE YEAR. 



' The eggs are laid in masses containing about 300 eggs. These masses are brown 

 in colour from a thick covering of the golden brown hairs from the tip of the body 

 , of the female moth ; and the whole egg mass more nearly resembles a silky, downy 

 caterpillar than a cluster of eggs. These masses average about two-thirds of an inch 

 in length by one-fourth of an inch in width, and are found on the lower surface of the 

 leaves in July. The caterpillars hatch in August, but do not injure the trees much 

 before winter. As soon as the buds burst in spring, they are at once attacked by the 

 caterpillars, which emerge from their winter shelters and do much harm. 



SUMMER TREATMENT. 



' If the winter nests of the caterpillars have not been destroyed, trees should be 

 sprayed with arsenical or other poisonous washes, so as to destroy the caterpillars 

 during May and June. The caterpillars of the Brown-tail Moth are not so resistant 

 to the poisonous effects of Paris green as are those of the Gypsy Moth. The spraying 

 of all orchards with the poisoned Bordeaux mixture as a regular practice is recom- 

 mended to all Canadian fruit-growers as the best general means of securing first-class 

 fruit free of most of the ordinary pests which injure fruits. As the Brown-tail Moth 

 caterpillars attack many other kinds of trees than fruit trees, it will be necessary that 

 they should also be sprayed, and for this purpose Paris green may be used. A good 

 useful poison wash consists of Paris green, 1 pound; fresh lime, 1 pound; water, 160 

 gallons. It is a very useful practice, however, among fruit-growers to use more than 

 1 pound of Paris green with lime in the 160 gallons, and, indeed, 2 pounds may be 

 used without danger if 2 pounds of lime are added. Arsenate of lead is a newer 

 remedy of great value, from the fact that it does not injure foliage so much, and 

 remains on the leaves for a longer time. Three pounds of arsenate of lead may be 

 used in 40 gallons of water without injury. 



RESUME. 



' The Brown-tail Moth, which has been the cause of enormous loss in Europe and 

 the United States, is undoubtedly established in one locality in Nova Scotia, and pro- 

 bably in several others. It is important to find out as soon as possible the range of 

 infestation ; and everybody is urged to send in as soon as possible any suspicious nests 

 of insects, or clusters of leaves webbed together, particularly if they contain cater- 

 pillars, whenever any are noticed on their trees. 



' The collection of the winter nests is the best and easiest means of controlling this 

 insect. 



' The collection of these nests must be done carefully, with as little handling as 

 possible, and all should be burnt at once when cut from the trees. 



' This work must be done before the buds burst. 



' Any trees bearing nests of the Brown-tail Moth, after the buds have opened, must 

 be sprayed with some poisonous mixture for the destruction of the caterpillars. 



' The establishment of the Brown-tail Moth in Canada is a serious matter, affect- 

 ing everybody in the district where the insects occur. 



' What is now only a matter of considerable interest, may, if neglected, become a 

 public calamity. 



' Specimens for examination may be sent to the Entomologist, Central Experi- 

 mental Farm, Ottawa. If so addressed, no postage will be required. 



James Fletcher.' 



