94 



THE GYPSY MOTH. 



Fig. 9.— The Life Cycle of the Gypsy Moth. (Figures after Forbush and 



Fernald.) 



MEANS OF DISTRIBUTION. 



"The gypsy moth spreads chiefly during the caterpillar 

 stage. While the caterpillars do not crawl very far from 

 where they hatch, except when there is a scarcity of food, 

 they have the habit, when small and young, of spinning 

 down on their silken threads from trees (as do the canker 

 worm caterpillars in orchards), and, falling on vehicles, are 

 then carried from place to place. Electric cars, pleasure 

 and business vehicles, bicycles and automobiles are common 

 means of thus transporting the gypsy moth. 



"The special attention of all those upon whom gypsy 

 moth suppression devolves is, therefore, directed to the 

 necessity of keeping travelled highways free from the insect. 



