THE INSECT RECORD FOR I9OI 43 



the cast skins of the caterpillars are blown hither and thither 

 by the wind. 



In tlie summer of 1899 there was a severe gale along the 

 coast during^ the time when the adult brown-tail moths were 

 flying. It was believed by the authorities of the Massachu- 

 setts Gypsy Moth Commission, notably the entomologist, 

 Mr. A. H. Kirkland, who studied the matter carefully, that 

 this storm distributed the moths along the coast northeast 

 from the vicinity of Boston at least as far as Seabrook, New 

 Hampshire. In December, 1899, the winter nest of this 

 insect illustrated on the title page of this bulletin was taken 

 at Seabrook by Mr. F. C. Moulton, the photograph being 

 sent us by Mr. Kirkland. The Gypsy Moth Commission did 

 what they could to exterminate the pest in the place where it 

 was found. But that the moth is now present within our 

 borders is shown bv the fact that one of the adult moths was 

 taken at Hampton last summer by Mr. S. A. Shaw. 



The young caterpillars of this species pass the winter in 

 nests of rolled leaves attached to the twigs of the food-plant. 

 An idea of the appearance of these winter nests may be 

 obtained from the picture on the title page of this bulletin. 



It is too much to expect, that we shall long escape the 

 general presence of the pest, and every citizen should be 

 on the watch for its first appearance. It is thoroughly estab- 

 lished over a large area in Massachusetts near our borders : 

 it may be blown to us by the wind or brought to us by teams, 

 electric cars, or railroad trains. Any time in fall, winter, or 

 spring when one can find upon a tree a curled leaf containing 

 a host of tiny caterpillars, the significance of the fact should 

 be fully realized. For it is probably a colony of these pest- 

 iferous insects: the leaf securely packed in a tight tin box, 

 without air holes, should be sent to the station with a full 

 statement regarding the finding of it. All others of the nests 

 should be promptly burned. 



The state of Massachusetts has practically abandoned its 

 heroic fight against the Gypsy Moth, ^ and it seems to be only 

 a question of time when this notorious pest will invade our 

 borders. When it spreads over our forests we are likely to 



^ Ocneria dispar Linne. 



