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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
FARMERS’ 
BULLETIN 
Wasuincton, D. C. TOS FEBRUARY 14, 1916 
Contribution from the Bureau of Entomology, L. O. Howard, Chief. 
THE LEOPARD MOTH:' A DANGEROUS IMPORTED 
INSECT ENEMY OF SHADE TREES. 
By L. O. Howarp and F. H. Cu1rrenDENn. 
INTRODUCTION. 
Along the Atlantic seaboard from eastern Massachusetts to southern 
New Jersey, and in the Hudson River Valley, shade and ornamental 
trees and shrubs of many kinds, with the exception of evergreens, are 
severely injured ‘by the larva or caterpillar of the European leopard 
moth. Around such centers as Boston and New York, and in the State 
of New Jersey, this insect constitutes a most serious menace to the- 
growth of shade trees. The larva of the leopard moth does not feed 
on the foliage, as do most of our shade-tree caterpillars, but bores into 
the branches and feeds upon the living wood. It usually begins opera- 
tions in twigs and small branches and trunks; this work has the effect 
of girdling and so weakens the wood that the portion beyond the 
injury is often broken by heavy wind storms, while in the case of 
severe attack, especially to young trees, the growth of the tree is 
checked and death frequently follows. Attack is not confined solely to 
shade and ornamental plants, but orchards also are often injured. 
DESCRIPTION. 
The leopard moth derives its name from the spotted appearance 
of the adults as illustrated at @ and } in figure 1. There is a great 
difference in size between the sexes, the female (a), which is a heavy- 
bodied moth and a very feeble flier, being much the larger. The male 
(2), on the other hand, has a more slender body, which insures ready 
flight, and is further distinguished from the female by the fact that 
its antenne, or feelers, are broad and feathery. The wings are semi- 
1 Zeuzera pyrina Fab.; order Lepidoptera, family Cossidae. Synonyms: Zeuzera aesculi 
L. and Z. decipiens Kirby. 
Norr.—This bulletin is of interest to growers of shade and ornamental trees, especially 
in the New England and North Atlantic States. 
18681°—Bull. TO8—16 
