A few birds prey upon the caterpillar, but most of them evi- 

 dently find it, when full grown, a rather tough morsel, the skin being 

 especially tough and thick and the insect a very muscular one. so that, 

 in fact, it is difficult to crush one with the end of a cane. Among the 

 birds which have been recorded ;i- destroying this insect are cuckoo.-. 

 the catbird, and the Baltimore oriole. 



REMEDIES. 



The catalpa sphinx may be readily destroyed by different methods. 



Hand picking. — Owing to its large size, the caterpillar is easily 

 seen, and it is possible to control it by hand picking with the aid ot 

 a long ladder and a 12-foot pole pruner or similar device. 



Arsenicals. — The insect can be destroyed by an arsenical spra}' 

 of either Paris green or arsenate of lead, applied as for other shade- 

 tree pests, such as the tussock moth and fall webworm. We may 

 take advantage of our knowledge of the gregarious habit of the young 

 of this caterpillar by watching rather closely for it in the spring, and 

 if the leaves are observed to be eaten in any particular place, a poi 

 sonous spray should be applied. This may frequently save an entire 

 tree. "Where only a feAv trees are to be treated, it will be best to spray 

 all the leaves. Owing to the fact that the foliage is frequently in- 

 fected by a leaf -spot disease,^ the added precaution of using Bordeaux 

 mixture as a diluent for either the Paris green or arsenate of lead is 

 advisable. 



Destruction of the pupce. — Where the caterpillars have been so 

 abundant as to have affected the trees, it will pay as a precaution for 

 the following year to spade up the ground thoroughly and disinte- 

 grate it in the fall so as to destroy the pupa 1 , which will be found con- 

 centrated under the surface of the ground in the immediate vicinity 

 of the trunk. 



Protecting the parasites. — The second or last generation, which 

 appears in September and October, is largely destroyed by parasites 

 which are frequently very abundant just as the oldest caterpillars are 

 beginning to reach full growth. At this time the parasites, which 

 have been previously mentioned, issue from the body of their host 

 and spin large masses of while cocoons on the backs of the cater- 

 pillars. These masses are so large that they can be seen at a con- 

 siderable distance against the black stripes of the host insect. It is 

 not advisable to destroy the caterpillars at this stage, as die parasites 

 are ver\ beneficial and in ordinary seasons will reduce the numbers 



"For directions, sec Farmers' Bulletins 99 and L27, which may be obtained 

 gratis upon application. 

 6 Phylloslicta catalp<r. 

 [Cir.96] 



