DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY. 



A New Oriental Moth in Massachusetts, 



Cnidocampa flavescens (Walk.) 



H. T. FERNALD. 



DISCOVERY OF THE INSECT. 



In February, 1906, peculiar cocoons discovered on several kinds 

 of fruit trees in Dorchester were sent to the Gypsy Moth Commis- 

 mission for identification, and as they were not at once recognized 

 were forwarded by Mr. A. H. Kirkland, Superintendent of the Com- 

 mission, to the Hatch Experiment Station for examination. 



Prolonged study of these cocoons showed that nothing like them 

 had ever been reported in Massachusetts, and that it was probable 

 that they were cocoons of some foreign insect and they were pre- 

 served in order to obtain the moths, which began to appear about 

 the twentieth of June. These were also carefully studied and finally 

 identified as probably a Chinese and Japanese moth, known in Japan 

 as "Ira-mushi," but in order to make the identification positive speci- 

 mens were sent to Sir George Hampson of the British Museum who 

 confirmed the identification. 



At this time the cocoons had been reported as occurring in three 

 small house lots only, but through the kindness of Mr. Frank A. 

 Bates and Mr. Joseph Silva of the Gypsy Moth Commission, a further 

 examination was made, which showed that it was present over a con- 

 siderably larger territory, and a study of its distribution through 

 Dorchester was begun. 



