142 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



Up to the present time the State of Massachusetts has expended 

 about $1,500,000 in fighting the gypsy moth, and the end 

 is not yet. 



STATUS OF THE GYPSY MOTH IN EUROPE. 



The name " gypsy moth " is the common name given to the 

 insect by the Enghsh. In France the caterpillar is called " la 

 commune," the common caterpillar. In Germany several 

 names have been given to the insect, chief of which are 

 " schwammspinner," " rosenspinner," " baumraupe," " stamm- 

 raupe," etc. 



In England the gypsy moth has never been a serious pest 

 so far as we can learn, and though it was known to be fairly 

 common there 150 years ago, and- was taken by the earlier col- 

 lectors, it is now almost if not quite extinct, and native material 

 is wanting in contemporary local collections. 



On the Continent, however, periodical outbreaks of the 

 gypsy moth have occurred ever since such matters were re- 

 corded. It was found from Stockholm on the north to Algiers 

 on the south, and extends from the western extremity of Eu- 

 rope eastward into Asia, the species occurring in limited num- 

 bers in China, Japan and Ceylon. The western and southern 

 portions of the Continent have suffered most from its depre- 

 dations. Much damage was done to trees in Brussels in 1858, 

 especially along the streets and in the parks. In France, 

 150 acres of oaks were defoliated in 1868. Many oaks were 

 stripped of their leaves in Italy in the year 1871. In 1852 at 

 Odessa, in the Crimea in 1861-63, and at other places through- 

 out Russia, Siberia, Germany and Austria, the gypsy moth has 

 at various times done great damage. 



All these outbreaks, though severe, have occurred over 

 limited areas and have quickly subsided, lasting usually not 

 more than three years. This indicates the presence of natural 

 enemies which in the main hold the species in check, 



THE GYPSY IN CONNECTICUT. 



Ever since the gypsy moth became prevalent in Massa- 

 chusetts it has seemed probable that the pest might at any time 

 invade Connecticut. We have therefore been on the watch for 

 it, though no systematic inspection has been made of the 



