FOOD PLANTS OF THE GIPSY MOTH IF AMERICA. 23 



Balm-of-Gilead (Populus palsamiferq L.). 



la the trays the food withered hadly, and although first-stage larvae de- 

 veloped full-grown larvae and moths they were undersized. 



In the field the writer has observed very large sixth-stage larvae feeding on 

 this poplar, and large adults resulted. 



Large-toothed Aspen (Populus grandddentata Miehx.). 



No adults were obtained from the trays started with first-stage larvae on this 

 species, as the last caterpillar died in the fifth stage. The larvae fed freely up 

 to the fourth stage, when feeding fell off and they died rapidly of disease. 



In the field much the same observations were made, but the larva? were ex- 

 ceptionally large and some moths were produced. 



Lombakdy Poplar (Populus nigra var. italicc Moench). 



No adulta were obtained from this species either at Worcester or at Melrose 

 Highlands, but at the former laboratory larvae in the fifth stage developed in 

 trays started in the first stage. Feeding was quite free on this species, but the 

 larvae died rapidly of disease. 



No field observations were made. 



Silver Poplar (Populus alba L.) 



Both at Worcester and Melrose Highlands the larvae started in the first stage 

 on this foliage all died by the time they reached the fifth stage. They fed quite 

 freely, but died rapidly of disease. 



This species is not favored by the gipsy moth as are the other poplars. 



Privet (Ligustrum vulgare L.) 



Very few larvae started in any stage on this foliage reached the succeeding 

 stage. 



Mr. Schaffner reports slight feeding by second, third, and fourth stage larvae. 

 It is an unfavored species. 



Raspberry (Rubus sp.). 



Several observers have records of feeding on this plant. Most of these are 

 of larvae in the first stages. Complete defoliation occasionally results. 



Pasture Rose (Rosa virginiana Mill.). 



A large percentage of adults were reared from trays started with first-stage 

 larvae fed upon this foliage. Heavy feeding occurs in all stages. 



Records of field observations show that the larvae feed freely in all stages 

 when the infestation is fairly heavy and stripping has been noted. 



Wild Sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis L.). 



Sarsaparilla is a plant which is very common in some localities. No feeding 

 has been found on its foliage by the gipsy-moth larvae. 



