GIPSY MOTH AND BROWN-TAIL MOTH 



289 



considerably smaller than the female, which is white, its wings 

 marked by delicate, undulating dark lines (Fig. 291). Egg masses 

 (Fig. 292) are deposited in the early summer on bark, fences, 

 stone walls, stone piles, and in similar places. They hatch the 

 following year. The caterpillar is shown hi figure 293. 



'H (In 

 FIG. 295. Brown-tail moth caterpillar. 



FIG. 296. Egg clusters of brown-tail moth 

 on under side of leaf. 



The brown-tail moth (Euprodris chrysorrhea Linn.) imported 

 from Europe about twenty-five years later than the gipsy moth, 

 is also well distributed throughout New England. The moths 

 (Fig. 294) are white, with a conspicuous brown tuft on the end of 

 the abdomen. The hairs of the larva (Fig. 295) are barbed, and 

 cause severe irritation when brought in contact with the skin. 

 These moths also lay their eggs in masses (Fig. 296) , covering the 

 same with brown hairs, but, unlike the gipsy moth, their eggs 

 hatch the same season and the larvae live in colonies (Figs. 297 and 

 298) on leaves, forming a nest of leaves in the fall, in which they 

 pass the winter, completing their development the following year. 



Like other introduced species, these insects have increased 

 wonderfully in numbers, and are to-day perhaps the worst insect 



FIG. 297. Winter nest of brown-tail moth caterpillars; a mass of Ira VPS and silk at 



ends of twigs. 



enemy of shade trees. They have, in the New England states, 

 already destroyed millions of dollars' worth of property, defoliating 

 whole tracts of shade trees. 



Control. Arsenate of lead sprays are effective for both of 

 the above insects. In the case of the brown-tail moth the nests 

 should be removed from the trees and burned during late fall 

 and winter. In combating the gipsy moth, traps are employed, 

 such as burlap bands and tanglefoot. Egg clusters may be touched 

 with creosote. 

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