BULLETIN No. 161. 



THE SADDLED PROMINENT, 



Heterocampa gitttivitta (Walker).* 



EDITH M. PATCH. 



The present bulletin deals with a caterpillar outbreak so 

 remarkable that the writer from sheer interest in it put aside 

 other work so far as possible in order to keep in touch with the 

 situation. Although a native insect the species under consid- 

 eration has but occasionally been met with in the State, and 

 prior to 1907 in numbers so slight that it had not seemed worth 

 any special attention. The specimens of these caterpillars in 

 the Station collection had not been determined except as to 

 genus, never more than 3 or 4 inquiries had come concerning 

 it during any one season and then it was reported only .as scat- 

 tered individuals found on apple trees. 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 



During 1907 and 1908 numerous items have been sent in from 

 people all through the infested areas which has added to the 

 interest of the investigation. Some of the aid which has been 

 given in this matter is herewith acknowledged in appreciation 

 by the Station. Mr. Allen H. Jordan of Upper Gloucester has 

 furnished pupse for much of the parasite breeding and has for 

 two seasons acted as guide into infested forest growth with 

 which he is familiar. Mr. Fred R. Jones of Mercer aided 

 materially with the investigation in that part of the State. To 

 Mr. Dayton Edwards is due most of the molting records and 

 the information concerning the conditions at Upper Gloucester, 

 Sebago Lake and North Fryeburg, July u-July 17. The bird 

 observations were made by Mr. William C. Woods who also 

 aided in the collection of parasites. Mr. Perley Skofield's 

 assistance made much of the insectary work possible. 



* Papers from the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station : Entomol- 

 ogy No. 31. 



