12 



BULLETIN 204, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



As a result of the Calosoma scouting work carried on during July 

 and August, 1914, it lias been found that this species exists in 18 towns 

 in Maine, 93 in New Hampshire, 170 in Massachusetts, 3 in Rhode Island, 

 and 2 in Connecticut. Data concerning this insect obtained during the 

 present year indicate that the species is able to maintain itself in con- 

 siderable numbers in areas where the gipsy-moth infestation is slight 

 and that as a rule the species continues to be abundant after it once 

 becomes established in a locality. Owing to the well-known habits 

 of the beetles in migrating considerable distances, it was thought 

 that territory with light infestation would be deserted in favor of 

 areas where caterpillars occurred in abundance. This does not prove 

 to be the case and it is another feature which increases the value of 

 this beneficial insect. 



The table below shows the colonization of the principal parasites 

 during 1913 and 1914: 



Table II. — Colonization of natural enemies in 1913 and 1914. 



Species. 



Number of colonies 

 liberated. 



Number of individuals 

 liberated. 



Towns where colo- 

 nies were placed. 





1913 



1914 



1913 



1914 



1913 



1914 





1,500 



110 



56 



10 



45 



1,561 



502 



14 



28 

 49 



1,500,000 



352,000 



76, 000 



4,565 



6,175 



1,561,000 



2,083,254 



13,119 



23,638 



8,104 



2 42 

 33 



48 

 10 

 42 



15 





111 





14 





26 





38 







i A part of the collections and colonization were made by cooperative arrangements with the State officials 

 of Maine and New Hampshire, with the Dominion Entomologist of Canada, and with Mr. F. M. Webster 

 of this bureau. 



2 In many of these towns only a few colonies were liberated. 



The results of the work accomplished by introduced parasites of 

 the gipsy moth during the past year have been excellent. It is true 

 that the increase of Apanteles lacteicolor has been seriously retarded 

 but the other species have given a good account of themselves. The 

 fact that Compsilura and Calosoma are becoming established in the 

 remote parts of the area infested with the gipsy moth and are able 

 to maintain themselves under these conditions is very encouraging, 

 as the work of these species will tend to reduce the infestation and 

 be an important factor in preventing the spread along the outside 

 border. 



WILT-DISEASE INVESTIGATIONS. 



In connection with the parasite work and having a distinct influence 

 on the increase of the gipsy moth in the field, an elaborate series of 

 experiments has been conducted by Mr. II . W. Glaser and several 

 assistants for the purpose of securing information on the identity 

 of the wilt disease (PI. VIII) and the factors which are favorable to 

 its increase in the field. 



