REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST I908 7 



villages have g-iven careful consideration to shade tree protection 

 and there is a good prospect that more will be accomplished another 

 year. The work against the gipsy moth, noticed below, has resulted 

 in a marked improvement in the spraying outfit. We believe that 

 certain of this apparatus, modified to suit our conditions, could 

 be adopted to advantage and would prove of much benefit, since 

 it would, by making the spraying easier and quicker, afford great 

 encouragement on account of the largely increased efficiency. Our 

 work upon shade tree insects, consisting mostly of local examina- 

 tion and recommendation, has consumed much time and has been 

 productive of marked improvement in the welfare of the trees. 



Gipsy and brown tail moths. These two insects have con- 

 tinued their injurious work in Massachusetts, the first named being 

 by far the more destructive. The gipsy moth has been found in 

 small numbers at both Springfield and Greenfield, Mass., as re- 

 corded in our previous report. Points where this insect was likely 

 to become established have been closely watched and as yet !t 

 has not been found in this State. A warning placard, illustrating 

 this species and the brown tail moth, has been conspicuously posted 

 in many post offices and other public places in the State. Prompt 

 and efficient treatment of isolated colonies, should they be found 

 in this State, is of utmost importance if extended injury is to be 

 avoided. 



The work against the gipsy moth, as revealed by a personal 

 examination the past summer, is being prosecuted with great vigor. 

 The residential sections are in excellent condition, though large 

 woodland areas have been seriously damaged. The work with 

 parasites, conducted by the state of Massachusetts in cooperation 

 with the fetleral government, is most encouraging. The staff in 

 charge of this work has been materially strengthened during the 

 past year, and its efficiency greatly increased by the dispatch of a 

 special agent to Japan. The latter secured some most promising 

 parasites which already have been bred through one generation 

 in this country, and lead us to hope that they may soon become 

 important factors in controlling this species. The control of these 

 introduced pests should be encouraged in every possible manner, 

 since it is much more economical to check them in a restricted 

 area than to allow the struggle to extend over a wide territory. 



Forest insects. The extensive outbreaks by the green strij)cd 

 maple worm, recorded in our previous report, have been continued 

 in southern Rensselaer county, and it is probable that this species 



