GIPSY MOTH AND BROWN-TAIL MOTH AND THEIR CONTROL. 7 



brown-tail moth caterpillars. Two species of egg parasites, namely, 

 Xchedius k'urann I Low., which was imported from Japan, and Anas- 

 tattix I>if(i*ci-(itn8 Fonsc., which was secured from Europe, have also 

 been colonized in a portion of the infested area and are valuable 

 additions to the natural enemies of this insect. 



During the past year the work of the natural enemies of the 

 gipsy moth, including the imported parasites, the Calosoma beetle, 

 Mini the wilt disease, has served greatly to reduce the numbers of the 

 insi ft in many badly infested localities. This is particularly true 

 in the region which has been infested longest, and it is hoped that 

 when these enemies of the moth have become established in large 

 numbers over the entire infested territory the insect will be much 

 less a destructive factor than it is at present. Until such time as this 

 can be brought about, however, the most effective hand or mechanical 

 methods of fighting this pest should be continued. 



rTHE BROWN-TAIL MOTH. 

 LIFE HISTORY. 

 (Fig. 4). 

 u v s. The female brown-tail moth deposits a small cluster of 

 eggs on the underside of a leaf. These eggs are usually laid in July 

 and are covered with brown hair taken from the body of the female. 

 Hatching begins about the 15th of August. 



The larvw. The newly hatched .larvae of this insect feed on the 

 epidermis of the leaf and after molting once or twice begin to con- 

 struct a winter web. This is made by drawing together several termi- 

 nal leaves and securely fastening them by silk which is secreted by 

 j the caterpillars. The larvae from one or more egg clusters live and 

 feed in common, and as cold weather approaches they retire to the 

 web. in which they remain during the winter. In the spring these 

 larva? leave the web as soon as the buds begin to develop and feed 

 upon the bud scales and small leaflets. They become full-grown 

 ; about the middle of June. 



The pupce. After the caterpillars finish feeding they spin loose 

 silken cocoons and pupate within them. These cocoons are some- 

 times constructed separately, but in many cases large numbers of 

 them are spun in a single mass. About two weeks are spent in the 

 pupal state. 



The adults. Emergence of the moth usually begins the first week 



; in July. The adult brown-tail moth is pure white in color. The 



abdomen of the female is much larger than that of the male, but in 



both sexes the tip of the abdomen is covered with dark-brown hairs. 



These moths are attracted to strong light, such as electric arc lights, 



and as they fly at night it is often possible to secure many specimens 



1 around the arc lights in cities and towns during the first half of the 



I month of July. 



