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THE AIRPLANE IN CATALPA SPHINX CONTROL 



J. S. HOUSEE 



The catalpa tree, growing under Ohio conditions, is subject to 

 the depredations of two destructive insect foes, which are a very 

 decisive factor in limiting the value of this species for forestry 

 purposes. The first of these pests is a small gnat-like fly, the 

 catalpa midge 1 , whose larvae cause the withering of the growing 

 tips of the branches and a spotting of the foliage. The second is 

 the catalpa sphinx 2 , whose larvae, by reason of their size and 

 voracious feeding habit, cause wholesale destruction of the foliage 

 and sometimes, when present in sufficiently large numbers, the 

 death of entire groves. 



Fig. 5. The pupa of the catalpa Fig. 6. The adult or parent moth 

 sphinx in its earthen cell in the of the catalpa sphinx resting on 



soil the trunk of a catalpa. About 



1J/2 natural size 



The outbreaks of the catalpa sphinx are intermittent and 

 vary in intensity. Quite frequently a period of years will elapse 

 and little will be seen of the insect, then suddenly the pest 

 will appear in large numbers and an entire grove will be stripped as 

 if by magic. What probably happens in the case of these ap- 

 parently sudden outbreaks is that the scourge, gradually develops 



(126) 



ratalpae Comstock. 

 2 Ceratomia catalpae Bois. 



