Proceedings, ^'.)2'i 1(59 



Shade Tree Insects 



Ant'xiuc Tussock Mutli (Notolophus badia). — Tlie moths were quite 

 abundant in Vaneimvcr tliis fall. No damage, liowever, was noticed this 

 summer from the feeding larvae, although I frequently came across them 

 on poplars when on Satin moth studies. Mr. Bush recorded an epidemic 

 in 1911. 



Tent Caterpillars (Malacosoma disstria erosa Hbn and M. pluvialis 



Dyar). — These two species reached their maximum last year, and this 

 year a slight decline was noticed ; parasites, both egg and larval, being 

 frequently noted. Wilt diseases, however, so common in the two previous 

 years, were not noted this summer. These insects are again appearing 

 at points up the Praser Valley, where for several year.s they have been 

 absent. 



Ffill ir(7)-irr;r/(t (Hyphantria cunea Dru). — Again abundant all over 

 the Valley. Hymenoiitcrnus pai'asites wei'c fi-cipiently noted in tiie webs. 



Satin Moth (Stilpnotia salicis L). — This insect, first located in the 

 Province at Westminster in July, 19'2(). by officers of the Dominion Ento- 

 mological Branch, has to lie included in ou.r list of shade tree depredators. 

 Of European origin, introduced probably at least five years ago, this 

 ])rolific insect was very conspicuous this summer in Vancouver and West- 

 minster, and made a sorry mess of the poplai's in these two towns. 



Although little was known regarding its economic importance in its 

 native habitat, its close relationship to the Gipsy and Brown Tail moths, 

 Liparids like itself, singled it out for immediate attention by the Ento- 

 mological Branch, and last year hopes were entertained and endeavours 

 made to stamp out the outbreak in Westminster. Its discovery, however, 

 in an area of larger extent in Vancouver, and also at Cowichan Bay on 

 Vancouver Island, and at Maillardville near Westminster, showed the 

 futility of entertaining these hopes with tlie funds likely to be available. 

 We will, therefore, most probably have a permanent addition to our 

 lepidopterous fauna, whether of great importance or not it is not ^)ossible 

 to say at the present time. 



It has so far been found chiefly on the Lombardy, White, and Black 

 poplars in British ('oluml)ia. all introduced species, though also found 

 sparingly on the native cottonwood, Populus trichocarpa; should it event- 

 ually accept this tree as readily as the introduced kinds which are its food 

 plants in Europe, it would become a serious pest. As it is, it has caused 

 considerable damage and annoyance, and has now spread over the whole 

 area of Greater Vancouvei' whei'ever poplars have been planted. 



FnriT Insects 



Previous reports recorded the following insects in varying degrees of 

 destructiveness. These were noted as present this yeai-. but in no cases 

 were thev serious : 



