INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF CALIFORNIA. 



40!) 



Distribution. — This moth occurs throughout the central and south- 

 ern parts of the State, especially along the coast. 



Food Plants.— The principal cultivated host of this moth is the 

 apple, but it also feeds upon cherry, perennial Lupine, manzanita, oaks. 

 black walnut and almond. 



Fig. 413. — Adult females of the California tussock moth, 

 Hemerocampa vetusta (Boisd.). Slightly enlarged. (Original) 



Control. — Spraying with poison sprays has proven unsatisfactory, 



due to the fact that the caterpillars are able to ea1 large doses with- 

 out apparent injury. Hand picking of the egg masses has been fol- 

 lowed w i t h considerable 

 success in the Pajaro Val- 

 ley. This is done during 

 the winter months, after the 

 leaves have fallen. Great 

 care must be exercised in 

 getting all the egg masses 

 to insure profitable results. 

 The eggs should be de- 

 stroyed by immersing in oil 

 or by burning. 



When the caterpillars are 

 on the trees great numbers 

 may be removed by jarring. 

 Bands around the tree 

 trunks, such as are recom- 

 mended for cankerworms, 

 will keep those jarred oil' 

 from again ascending the 

 trees. In addition to the 

 c o 1 1 o n and tanglefoot 

 bands, W. II. Volck recom- 

 mends a rope saturated 

 with tanglefoot, or crude oil rich in asphalt urn and lied around the 

 trunks, while bands soaked in a mixture of equal parts of pine tar 

 and molasses have given satisfaction. 



Fig -l l l. — Cocoons :m. I adull mal( s of the 

 California tussock moth, Hemerocampa vetusta 

 (Boisd.). Natural size. (Original) 



