35- 



■apple, oak and willow would seem to be sliofhtly preferred over some 

 other species of trees, but in a badly infested colony everything in the 

 shape of foliage is attacked. Certain species, such as the white ash and 

 rock maple, are attacked to a less extent than other shade trees, but 

 even the}' are not exempt. Coming from a badly infested section the 

 caterpillars have been known to eat all kinds of garden vegetables with 

 the exception of onions, as well as to 

 destroy flowers, grass, etc. The eftect 

 of the feeding of the gypsy moth is 

 shown first in the little growth made 

 by the infested trees. Pines and other 

 coniferous trees die as a result of a 

 single stripping, while the oak, the 

 apple and other deciduous trees are 

 killed by three years' continual defolia- 

 tion. The fact that the moth feeds on 

 so many kinds of foliage makes it a 2>articularly difficult insect to com- 

 bat, since it seldom lacks for suitable food. 



Fig. 4. Male gypsy moth. 



Remedies. 



The remedies most useful against the gypsy moth are governed largely 

 by the season at which the moth colony is found and the size and extent 

 of the same. Certain wholesale methods are very eflective but can only 

 be applied by municipalities or property ow^ners of large means. 



Cutting and Burning. — This process includes the cutting out of in- 

 fested woodland, destroying the under])rush and thinning the trees. 



Fig. 5. Female gypsy moth. 



This work is done to best advantage in the winter season, and should be 

 preceded by destroying the eggs so as to prevent scattering of the same. 

 The eff'ect is to limit the foliage on which the insects can feed, and to pre- 

 pare the woodland for thorough work during the following cateri)illar 

 season. The brush and other refuse should l^e burned early in May, 

 after the caterpillars have hatched. At this time a large number of in- 

 sects will be on the ground and will thus be destroyed. 



Burning ivith Oil. — Where caterpillar colonies are found late in the 

 summer it is often desirable to burn over the ground with oil, particu- 



