REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 1902 111 



lars with a repellent insecticide, such as whale oil soap or the 

 carbolic soap wash. These applications should be made about 

 the first of July and probably repeated toward the latter end of 

 the month, the time for second treatment depending somewhat 

 on the amount of rain. 



Nun moth, Psilura monacha Linn, Our attention has 

 recently been called to the reported presence of this European 

 insect at Brooklyn N. Y. According to the published account,^ 

 Mr George Franck stated that, on looking over the small collection 

 of a local collector during the summer of 1901, he found among 

 other material five individuals of this species, which he identified 

 by comparison with European specimens, of which he possessed 

 a number. The collector in question had no communication with 

 others than Mr Franck, from whom he obtained material in 

 exchange, and, when he was questioned regarding this species 

 and its occurrence, Mr Franck was assured that the specimens 

 had been captured at light in Brooklyn. ]^o other person who 

 had been consulted in regard to this species knew anything of 

 its occurrence in that vicinity, and it was put down as an acci- 

 dental importation, which is possibly true. The person who 

 made the capture resides in a district where there are numerous 

 lumber yards, and shipping is quite extensive. The location is 

 described as being around North 2d street and Metropolitan 

 avenue, near a creek which adjoins that portion of the bay run- 

 ning through the eastern part of Brooklyn. Since only five of the 

 insects were taken, it may not be that the species has been intro- 

 duced; but, as pointed out by Dr Howard, we may have here a 

 parallel case to that of the gipsy moth, Porthetria dispar 

 Linn., which was known to be actually introduced into this coun- 

 try 25 years before it attracted the attention of economic ento- 

 mologists. The two species are related and have similar habits; 

 and there is reason to believe that, if this species does become 

 permanently established in the vicinity of New York, it will 

 prove a serious enemy and perhaps be even more troublesome than 

 the gipsy moth. The latter was established inland, while the 

 nun moth, if it has obtained a foothold, will probably spread to 

 the immediate vicinity of water ways on either side. This feature 



1 Howard. L. O. U. S. Dep't Agric. div. ent. Bui. 38. n. 8. 1902. p.90-91. 



