172 SIXTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT 



THE INSECT RECOPtD FOR 1903. 

 By Clarence M. Weed. 



The year 1903 is notable so far as our knowledge of the 

 injurious insects of New Hampshire is concerned by the 

 discovery of a serious infestation of the Brown-tail Moth 

 in the southeastern corner of the state, and the discovery 

 of the San Jose Scale in several new localities. The prob- 

 ability that these insects would be so found has been re- 

 peatedly stated in previous issues of this series of Insect 

 Records, w^hile the insects mentioned have been discussed 

 at length in the recently issued Bulletin 109 and Bulletin 

 111. The year is also notable for the passage of the Nur- 

 sery Inspection law, which undoubtedly has had a ten- 

 dency to check the further introduction of these pests. 



I have no evidence as yet of the presence of the Gypsy 

 Moth in l^ew Hampshire, though I should not be surprised 

 to hear of its presence in almost any part of the state. This 

 is on the whole the most dangerous insect enemy that 

 threatens us. It is present in vast numbers throughout a 

 wide area in ]\Iassachusetts and there is hea\y and con- 

 tinuous traffic from this infested region into our state. 

 Freight and passenger trains, horses and carriages, and 

 automobiles are constantly entering our borders, after 

 traversing the infested region. It will be strange indeed 

 if the insect is not brought to us by some of these. And 

 it is by no means certain that the first outbreak will occur 

 along the southern part of the state; it may easily occur 

 in some central or northern region. It is highly important, 

 therefore, that citizens all over the state be warned of the 

 danger from the pest, and be on the alert for any strange 

 hairy caterpillar that attacks the foliage of trees and 

 shrubs. Should this omnivorous pest get a foothold in our 

 beautiful mountains, it would be a most serious calamity, 

 affecting the welfare of the state to an extent that few of 

 our citizens now realize. 



