SOME INSECTS INJURIOUS TO ORCHARD FRUITS 569 



caterpillars may be carried by the wind for considerable distances, 

 and that this is one of the chief means of spread. The egg 

 masses may also be transported on merchandise or boxing, and the 

 pest has undoubtedly become established in several localities in 

 this way. A few cases of importation on nursery stock have been 

 known. 



The caterpillars will attack any of the fruit, shade or wood- 

 land trees, and where they become excessively abundant will 

 destroy all green vegetation of almost any kind. It is essentially 

 a pest of forest trees, but where it occurs it defoliates all of the 

 common fruit trees. Coniferous trees are killed after being once 

 stripped of their foliage, and deciduous trees usually die after four 

 or five defoliations. Recent experiments show that the young 

 caterpillars when they hatch from the eggs are unable to feed on 

 conifers, so that growths of soft wood may be protected by keeping 

 all hard-wood trees cut out. 



Control. In the orchard the gypsy moth is readily controlled 

 by painting the egg masses with creosote in winter and by spraying 

 the trees with arsenate of lead, 5 pounds per barrel, just as the 

 eggs are hatching in the spring. Where this is practiced there 

 is very little trouble in controlling it in orchards. Upon shade 

 and forest trees the problem is much more difficult and the reader 

 should consult the authors cited (footnote p. 563) as to the best 

 means and apparatus. Although the pest is still confined to 

 New England, it is such a serious one and there is so much danger 

 of its spread elsewhere, that fruit-growers should be on their 

 guard against it and should submit suspected specimens to the 

 nearest entomologist. Should it be found in any other States, 

 no expense should be spared to absolutely exterminate it before 

 it may become established. 



