INSECTS 



185 



interest to note that this species overran many orchards in this same 

 region during 1900 and, because of its large numbers and destruc- 

 tiveness to the young fruit, created quite a little consternation among 

 growers. This is the fourth time that this pest has attracted atten- 

 tion by its injurious work, the earlier outbreaks having occurred 

 during 1 791 and 1853. It is to be hoped that the short time be- 

 tween its last two appearances does not indicate a change in habits 

 and that attacks are to occur at more frequent intervals. Whatever 

 the future may have in store, it is gratifying to record that orchards 

 thoroughly sprayed for the codling moth have 

 suffered little or no injury from palmer worms. 



Tent caterpillar. The tent caterpillar is prev- 

 alent in the apple orchard, but can be easily 

 controlled. Everyone knows its characteristic 

 silken nest, found usually in a fork of the tree 

 formed by two large branches. The caterpillar 

 retires to this when the weather is inclement, 

 or when it is through with its feeding. This 

 pest may be destroyed by spraying the tent with 

 kerosene and burning it, or on its first appear- 

 ance by a regular spraying of the leaves for 

 other leaf-eating insects. 



Apple-leaf trumpet-miner. The apple-leaf 

 trumpet-miner is an insect of recent appearance 

 which has caused considerable alarm among orchardists. As it 

 lives most of its life between the upper and lower surfaces of the 

 leaves, where it cannot be reached either by contact or poison 

 sprays, it is a difficult insect to control. Fortunately, it does not 

 occur in very large numbers until rather late in the summer, when 

 most of the work of the leaves is over. 



Brown-tail moth. Two insects that have received little notice 

 except in eastern New England, but are likely soon to compel 

 attention in other parts of the United States, are the brown-tail 

 moth and the gypsy moth. 



The brown-tail moth is a common European pest of fruit and 

 shade trees, and has been an object of interest to gardeners from 

 the earliest times. Throughout Europe it is known as the "com- 

 mon caterpillar," and accounts of its habits and periodical ravages 



Egg mass of the tent 



caterpillar found on the 



twigs of the trees 



