No. 4.] SHADE-TREE INSECT PROBLEM. 



87 



of Massachusetts has given the world one of the greatest 

 object lessons in applied entomology. The abandonment 

 of the work by action of the Legislature at a time when the 

 insect was well suppressed has seemed to many a great mis- 

 take. Present indications are pointing in no uncertain way 

 to the ultimate justification of the State work against the 

 moth as conducted by a committee of this Board. The truth 

 will ultimately be established, and we must wait with pa- 

 tience the developments of the near future. 



It is fortunate that from this great undertaking there have 

 developed improved methods 

 of eombatino- insects, which 

 have a wide application. Thus 

 the original use of arsenate of 

 lead as an insecticide against 

 the gypsy moth has now been 

 extended to the treatment of 

 the elm-leaf beetle and a host 

 of other leaf-eating insects. 

 The improvements in spray- 

 ing apparatus developed in 

 the gypsy moth work have a 

 world-wide usefulness, and al- 

 ready this improved apparatus 

 is now in general use in park 

 work in the larger cities of 

 New England. 



The past summer has brought 

 to light a large colony of the gypsy moth at Providence, 

 R. I. From all evidence at hand, it is apparent that the 

 insect was taken to this city by some malicious person, and 

 it is quite possible that other similar colonies may be found 

 else:yhere. In view of this fact, it seems probable that the 

 gypsy moth will now never be exterminated in New England. 

 Property owners in the vicinity of the infested sections 

 should carefully tamiliarizc themselves with the appearance 

 of the various forms of the moth, in order that incipient in- 

 festations may be dealt with in season. Should official work 

 against this insect be renewed, it would seem desirable to 



Fig. 4. Pupa of gypsy moth. 



