FOOD PLANTS OF THE GIPSY MOTH IN AMERICA. 17 



Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans [L.] Kuntze). 



Feeding by all stages except the sixth has been noted upon poison ivy. This 

 resulted in a number of notches and small holes being made in the leaves. It 

 is not a favorable food plant. 



Juniper, Common (Juniperus communis L.). 



Many of the field observers have seen feeding by gipsy-moth larvae on this 

 species in all stages, usually on the new growth. 



Laboratory work shows that this species will not maintain this insect through 

 the larval stage. 



Kentucky Coffee-tree (Gymnocladus dloica [L.] Koch).. 



This species was tested at Worcester and also at the Melrose Highlands 

 laboratories. In the first stage, before the bud scales dropped, there was con- 

 siderable feeding. Later there was practically no feeding in any of the stages. 



No field observations have been made on this species. 



American Larch (Larlx laricina [Du Roi] Koch). 



Tray experiments show this to be a favored food for the gipsy-moth larva?. 

 They fed freely in all stages and grew rapidly and to large size. They were, 

 however, badly attacked by disease, but adults were secured from experiments 

 begun with first-stage caterpillars. 



No field observations were made on this species. 



European Larch (Larix decidua Mill.). 



Mr. Proctor notes feeding by first-stage larvae on this species and in a 

 diminishing degree in the second and third stages, after which no more feeding 

 was noted. Observations were made in only one locality, and the species was 

 not tested in the trays in the laboratory. 



Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia L.). 



Tray experiments show that this laurel will not support life of the gipsy-moth 

 larvae, as they would not feed upon it to an3^ extent and die rapidly from starva- 

 tion. 



Two observers have seen slight feeding on this shrub by first, fourth, and 

 fifth stage larvae, the two latter stages working on the blossoms as well as the 

 leaves. 



Sheep Laurel (Kalmia angustifolia L.). 



Field observations and tray experiments show that this species is distasteful 

 to the caterpillars, as they eat only when no other food is available and then 

 to a very limited extent. In the trays the larvae died rapidly when furnished 

 with no other food. 



Swamp Eubotrys (Euootrys racemosa [L.] Nutt.). 



Considerable feeding by all larval stages has been observed by Mr. Schaffner 

 on this species in Middleboro. 



In the trays it does not appear a very favorable food and no pupae were 

 obtained, as all larvae died of disease and starvation. 

 92719°— 15 3 



