232 LEPIDOFTERA 



large white mass, the eggs being inchided in a frothy sub- 

 stance which hardens and forms a varnish-hke coating 

 whicli ghies them to the cocoon and protects them tln-ough 

 the winter. The eggs hatch in hite spring or early summer 

 and the larvje grow, i)assing through several moults and 

 reaching maturity in midsummer or perhaps a little late 

 in sunnner. This is an insect that is single-brooded in a 

 Northern locality but may easily become double-brooded in 

 a Southern locality. This species is one for which the means 

 of control may be readily seen. P]gg masses are quite con- 

 spicuous in the winter and it is an easy matter to gather 

 these in the winter or late fall or early spring, and to destroy 

 them by burning or crushing. The insect's eggs are fre- 

 quently parasitized by minute hymenopterous parasites 

 which lay eggs in the eggs of the tussock moths. These can 

 be allowed to mature and pro\ide another generation of 

 parasites b\- putting the eggs where there is no vegetation. 

 The parasites when matured escape and the larva? of the 

 moths from unparasitized eggs will die. 



Gipsy Moth. — Closely related is the Gipsy moth {Porthet- 

 ria (lispar), an important species from Europe. It was 

 introduced about forty-five years ago (1868 or 1869) and its 

 importation was for experimental purposes and not with 

 malicious intent. Eggs or possibly larvae may have been 

 blown out of an open window and the species thus given its 

 freedom. It did not attract much attention for several 

 years. It became abundant near Maiden, ]\Iass., and in the 

 early nineties became quite destructive and attempts were 

 made to exterminate it. In 1898, when its range had been 



LEGEND FOR PLATE. 



Gypsy moth (Porthetria dispar, Linn). (After Massachusetts State 

 Board of Agriculture.) 

 1, female with wings expanded; 2, female in resting position; 3, male 

 with wings expanded; 4. male in resting position; 5, pupa; 6, dorsal view 

 of one of the larger caterpillars, presumably a female; 7, dorsal view of one 

 of the smaller full-grown caterpillars, presumably a male; 8, egg cluster 

 on a piece of bark; 9, a few eggs greatly enlarged; 10, one egg still more 

 enlarged. ' 



