:methods of distribution 59 



The map on page ^6 shows the area in that state infested by 

 the Brown-tail Moth in 1S99, and the insect presumably has 

 spread to the west, as well as to the north, since that year. 



The worst infestations we have located have been in Sea- 

 brook, Hampton, and the city of Portsmouth, in the latter 

 especially along the car line from Rye. Mr. A. F. Conradi, 

 then assistant entomologist, carried on the inspection work 

 last spring, and did good service in calling the attention of 

 local residents to the presence of the pest as well as in help- 

 ing them to destroy it. An inspection this fall of part of the 

 reijion s^one over bv Mr. Conradi showed that his w^ork had 

 been effective, for very few of the winter nests were found. 

 This is the hopeful thing about the pest : the people of almost 

 ^ny community can keep it in check if they will only begin 

 in time. 



METHODS OF DISTRIBUTION 



Various agencies may bring about the introduction of the 

 Brown-tail Moth into new localities. The evidence in hand 

 indicates that in our state the electric cars have been the most 

 important means of distribution, as the nests in new localities 

 have been quite generally found along the car lines. This is 

 what might be expected, from the fact that these cars are con- 

 tinually coming from badly infested regions. They may bring 

 to new localities either the egg-laden moths or the caterpil- 

 lars. During the summer weeks when the moths are frying 

 the lights of the cars are likely to attract them, so that the 

 moths may be carried many miles before they leave the cars. 

 In these new locations the moths may find pear or other trees 

 on which to deposit their eggs, thus establishing new centers 

 of infestation. The caterpillars, also, have a habit of drop- 

 ping downward when disturbed, hanging by a thread. They 

 may thus light upon a car or a waiting passenger, and be car- 

 ried many miles before escapins^. 



In a less degree the freight and passenger trains of the rail- 

 roads may easily serve to distribute the pest, as well as 

 other sorts of vehicles. Violent wind storms are believed 

 to have dispersed the egg-laden moths over a considerable 

 territory. 



