LARGE, HAIRY CATERPILLARS EATING THE LEAVES 291 



near by, and the adult moths are out in July and August. The 



female is light grayish, hea\-y bodied, and has a wing expanse of two 



inches, but cannot 



fly. The male is 



much smaller, 



brown in general 



color, and flies 



readily. Eggs are 



laid in masses, and 



are covered with 



yello'wish hairs 



from the body of 



the female. Egg 



masses occur on 



the trunks of trees, 



the under side of 



branches, or on any 



Fig. 429. — Newly hatched larvse of the Gypsy Moth 

 on egg-mass ; and empty pupal shell. Original. 



permanent object near at hand. The egg stage lasts until the follow- 

 ing May, when the young caterpillars hatch and at once begin feeding. 

 Large sums ha^-e been spent by federal, state, and town author- 

 ities to prevent the spread of 

 this pest, reduce its ravages, 

 and introduce its natural 

 enemies. 



The egg masses may be 

 painted with creosote at any 

 time between September and 

 the following April. This will 

 penetrate and kill the eggs. 



The larvse may be poisoned 

 by spraying with arsenate of 



Fig. 430. 



-The Gypsy Moth. Adult male. 

 Original. 



lead, using 5 to 8 pounds to 50 gallons of water, and applying early 

 while the larvse are still small. Tall trees may be banded with 

 burlap, so as to provide a place where the caterpillars will hide by 

 day and where they may be killed by mechanical means. 



