P.D. 123 17 



nurseries and prevent to a large degree the introduction of caterpillars and 

 scale insects. 



Some insects which are not prevalent in the nurseries are obliged to be 

 given consideration, such as the Satin Moth and the European Corn Borer. 

 The Satin Moth, which is a free flier, has since 1919 spread rapidly, so that 

 it now extends as far west as the Connecticut Valley. Fortunately, it con- 

 fines its feeding to willows and poplars, and is easily controlled with arsenate 

 of lead. 



Japanese Beetle 



The Japanese Beetle is a temperate zone pest and it is conceded that it 

 will eventually spread within its climatic range in the United States. The 

 beetle came into this country probably about 1910 on a commercial importa- 

 tion of Iris roots from Japan. These were planted near Riverton, New Jer- 

 sey, but when the beetle was discovered a few years later, it had spread to 

 a considerable distance from its starting point, and has continued to spread 

 at an average of five to fifteen miles each year. Occasionally long jumps 

 have been noted. Examples of these are the infestations at Springfield and 

 Boston, Massachusetts. The Springfield infestation can perhaps be ac- 

 counted for by automobiles, while the Boston infestation probably came on 

 boats from Philadelphia. There is grave danger in an infested area of 

 transporting this insect in soU around the roots of nursery stock. It seems, 

 therefore, that it is very essential that we in Massachusetts stay out of the 

 quarantined area as long as possible, not entirely because of the damage 

 that this beetle might do, but for the injury that a quarantine would do to 

 the nursery business. It is expensive and causes considerable delay for the 

 nurseryman within the area to comply with the quarantine regulations. In 

 June the soil at Stearns and Court Square in Springfield was treated with 

 carbon bisulphide, as beetles had been collected at these points in 1928. 

 This treatment was not given with the expectation of eradication, but as a 

 control measure. That it was effective is evidenced by the fact that only 

 one-fifth as many beetles were collected this year. A new and important 

 phase of clean up and control is the use of beetle traps. These traps are a 

 device to hold an attractor (geraniol) to the beetle with a receptacle beneath 

 into which the beetle will fall. In Springfield there were 1,200 traps main- 

 tained in co-operation with the United States Department of Agriculture 

 and the Springfield Park Department. Approximately 1,000 beetles were 

 collected in these, but whether or not they had previously laid their eggs is 

 impossible to state. However, it is quite likely they were captured soon 

 after emerging from the ground. In Boston 1,200 traps were distributed at 

 Commonwealth Pier, Public Gardens and at a few outlying points. One 

 hundred and eighty-one beetles were collected in these traps, but most of 

 them were in the traps at the Pier, which would lead us to believe that the 

 beetles were brought to Boston by boat. It would not be at all surprising 

 to find additional infestations of this insect throughout the State within a 

 few years, but traps, parasites, and sprays should effectively control it. 



European Corn Borer 

 The two-brooded European Corn Borer infestation seems to have been 

 fully as prevalent this year as it was in 1929. The heaviest infestations 

 were found in Bristol County and some corn in that county was too badly 

 infested to be marketed. However, corn shipped into Boston and Worcester 

 from Rhode Island was more heavily infested than any corn grown in Massa- 

 chusetts. As Rhode Island now has a law which requires certain clean up 

 methods to be practiced, it is hoped that the conditions in Bristol County 

 along the State line will be improved. Scouting this fall has added fifteen 

 new towns to the two-brooded area. The quarantine now includes all of 

 Worcester County. The Corn Borer law, which requires all stubble to be 

 destroyed by December 1, has been very effective in delaying the spread of 

 this pest and reducing the degree of infestation. It has been the policy of 

 the Division to summons into hearings any violators of this law. Last year 



