180 The Farm Woodlot 



of valuable shade trees, but nothing for the woodlot, 

 except the cutting out of the infested trees. The lower 

 twigs may be trimmed and burned in winter, thus de- 

 stroying the eggs ; the caterpillars may be jarred from the 

 trees with a padded mallet and crushed ; the egg clusters 

 may be sprayed with kerosene emulsion or whale oil soap ; 

 the cocoons may be destroyed. These methods will be 

 very effective if they are undertaken before the insects 

 become too numerous. 



Fall web-worm 



This widespread insect (Hypantria textor) is one of our 

 most destructive leaf eaters. It is found all over the 

 United States east of the Rockies and feeds on a large 

 number of species, including white elm, willows, poplars 

 and all fruit trees. It can be identified readily by the 

 conspicuous web tents on the tips of the branches and 

 including the leaves, which are soon skeletonized and turn 

 brown. The webs are never in the crotches. 



The moth varies from pure white to much spotted with 

 black. The caterpillar is hairy, yellowish brown and 

 black, the hairs springing in clusters from black and 

 orange tubercles. The cocoon is thin and mixed with 

 larval hairs, and is found at or near the surface of the 

 ground. The eggs are in yellow clusters on the underside 

 of the leaves. 



Moths are seen flying from early in June to the middle 

 of August. The eggs hatch in seven to ten days and the 

 caterpillars begin to appear in the latter part of June, 

 but are thickest in August. They spin their web at once, 

 and feed on the upper surfaces of the leaves within. They 



