MAPLE LEAF CUTTER HOW DESTROYED. 273 



This moth was much more common five and ten years ago 

 than it is at the present time. With the return of the month of 

 May each year it was then met with in numbers in the forests. 

 But for two years past not one has been seen, and last spring on 

 searching among fallen leaves for its pupse where they were for- 

 merly found in plenty none could be discovered. Still, a few 

 holes perforated in the leaves of maples continue to occur, show- 

 ing that the insect is still present in the neighborhood, though 

 in greatly reduced numbers. These holes are always nearly 

 circular when they are first cut, but by the subsequent growth 

 of the leaf they become oblong. A small Ichneumon fly of a 

 pale yellowish color, the tenth of an inch in length, with black 

 antennse longer than its body, has repeatedly hatched from the 

 cases containing the pupae of this moth, and this has probably 

 been one of the most efficient agents in reducing its numbers. 



The fact has already been stated, that these insects do not in- 

 vade trees standing alone in fields and in yards around houses. 

 The reason of this is sufficiently evident, now when we know 

 their history. The leaves when they fall from such trees are blown 

 away by the winds, or are trampled into the earth by cattle tra- 

 veling around and standing under them. If any of these worms, 

 therefore, happen upon such trees, when the leaves fall and carry 

 them to the ground, they become scattered and destroyed. And 

 a knowledge of this fact at once suggests a remedy, whereby to 

 save the trees from the depredations of this moth. Groves of 

 maples more especially which are valued for the sugar they pro- 

 duce, will be materially injured, there is no doubt, by having 

 their foliage destroyed as it was by these insects in 1850. But 

 all mischief of this kind will probably be prevented by allowing 

 sheep or cattle to range the grounds occupied by the sugar 

 orchard; and if, notwithstanding this, the leaves of particular 

 trees show that they are preyed upon by this moth, it will be 

 well after the leaves have fallen in autumn, to feed salt to the 

 animals under such trees, that any insects among the leaves may 

 be trampled upon and destroyed. 



[Assembly 2 15. J 18 



