560 NEW JERSEY AGEICULTURAL COLLEGE 



enter the pores and produce an irritation tliat is intensely annoying to 

 most people and seriously troublesome to others — so troublesome, 

 indeed, that the services of a physician are frequently required. It is 

 not until the insects become nearly half grown that difficulty is experi- 

 enced; but after that time, where the insects are plentiful, the air is 

 likely to become filled with hairs when the caterpillars molt or change 

 their skins, and when they pupate and spin their cocoon the loose hair 

 is sometimes carried to considerable distances. It is quite possible, 

 therefore, that without handling the caterpillars, or without even 

 coming very close to them, an individual may become the victim of 

 this nettling effect. When the hairs get into the eye a very trouble- 

 some inflammation is set up, and this, in most cases, requires the 

 attention of a physician. In speaking with Mr. Kirkland about this 

 matter, he referred to several cases where intense suffering and high 

 fever were produced, and there are some cases in which death was the 

 indirect result. As to the remedial measures employed, they are much 

 the same as those in general use for plant nettling or for ivy poisoning. 



This peculiar characteristic puts the brown-tail moth in a class by 

 itself, and makes it really a nuisance to the conmiunity in which it 

 occurs, as a menace to public health. Irrespective, therefore, of the 

 injury that is caused to trees and other vegetation, the species is an 

 undesirable one from every other point of view. 



As to the methods of spread, it has been already shown that the 

 insect flies, and that therefore it is not so dependent upon outside 

 means of transportation for its distribution. Nevertheless, almost all 

 of the methods by which the g}'psy moth may travel may serve to dis- 

 tribute this species as well. Railroad trains are likely to play a great 

 part in its spread, because if a fertilized female concealed herself dur- 

 ing the day on a freight or passenger coach, the next evening may find 

 her hundreds of miles away and in condition to take flight and start 

 a colohy. 



THE 'WHITE-MARKED TUSSOCK OR VAFORER MOTH. 



Orgyia leueostigma S. & A. 



This insect shared with other shade-tree pests in the conditions 

 favorable to insect development and became extremely abundant 

 throughout a large section of the State, Although it is not really 

 particular as to its food, maples were, as a rule, more infested than 



