I06 THE CONNECTICUT POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



The speaker first mentioned the influence of the Enghsh 

 sparrow and of imported insect pests as two principal factors 

 in increasing- insect damage. Taking up specific pests, the 

 elm beetle was mentioned as one which had its alternating 

 periods of abundance and scarcity. This beetle has proved 

 in certain years a serious enemy of the elm, but is easily con- 

 trolled by spraying with arsenate of lead in the early summer. 



The Tussock moth, while primarily a' pest of the elm, also 

 attacks the maple, the pear, and a wide range of trees. The 

 outbreaks of this caterpillar are soon checked by parasites, 

 but when the insects are over-abundant, a thorough spraying 

 with arsenate of lead will keep them under control. 



The habits of the imported brown-tail moth, which makes 

 webs at the tips of branches on fruit and shade trees in late 

 fall, were fully described. This insect is common throughout 

 Europe, where it is principally known as a fruit tree pest,, 

 although it also attacks oaks and other shade trees. It is not 

 known to occur in Connecticut as yet, but property owners 

 should be on the lookout for it, and if, during the winter, any 

 suspicious webs are foimd in the tree tops they should be cut 

 ofif and referred to the experiment station authorities for 

 identification. The cutting off and burning of the webs in 

 the winter is the simplest and most effective means of con- 

 trolling this insect. 



The gypsy moth has spread rapidly during the last five 

 years and now occurs throughout eastern Massachusetts, 

 southern New Hampshire and northern Rhode Island. As 

 the infestation at Providence extends along the railroad tracks 

 for some distance, it is entirely probable that the insect may 

 be found in Connecticut in the near future. The moth passes 

 the winter in the egg stage, the yellow, hair-covered mass 

 being conspicuous objects on tree trunks, fences, walls, etc. 

 These are easily destroyed by soaking with crude coal tar 

 creosote. After the eggs have hatched, the young caterpillars 

 feed on all kinds of foliage, but can be controlled by a thor- 

 ough, heavy spraying with arsenate of lead. After the cater- 

 pillars are half grown, they seek shelter by day and feed by 

 night; hence, if a band of cloth or burlap is tied loosely about 

 an infested tree trunk, the caterpillars will assemble under it 



