FOOD PLANTS OF THE GIPSY MOTH IN AMERICA. 25 



Scaelet Sumac (Wins glabra L.) 



This is another favorable species, and the larvae grew to very large size. The 

 first stage began feeding on the swelling buds by eating a small hole through 

 the scales, and as the milky sap began to flow the larvae fed upon it. They did 

 not move about very much, but grew rapidly. 



Feeding has been observed by all stages in the field. 



Staghoen Sumac (Rhus hirta [L.] Sudw.). 



This is not as favorable a species as the two foregoing. The larvae do not 

 grow as large. They will, however, develop from the first stage, but are badly 

 attacked by disease. 



All stages feed upon it in the field. 



Red Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.). 



This species ranks high as a favored food plant. Larvae fed freely in all 

 stages and grew rapidly. In the last two stages, however, they were badly 

 affected by disease. 



No field observations are available. 



Sweet Peppekbush (Clethra alnifolia L.). 



Field records show very slight feeding by all stages of the larvae that have 

 dropped from the overhanging trees, but they soon moved to other food. 



In the trays no adults were obtained by starting any stage on this foliage 

 until the fifth stage was reached, and then males were produced. It is a very 

 unfavored food plant. 



Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.). 



Very few field records have been obtained on this species, although the sec- 

 ond and third stages have been seen feeding very slightly on it. 



In the trays the foliage was apparently very distasteful to them, and there 

 was but little feeding and growth. Third-stage larvae were reared to a few 

 male moths. It is an unfavored species. 



Tulip Teee (Liriodendron tulipifera L.). 



Each successive stage was tried in the trays containing this foliage, both at 

 Worcester and Melrose Highlands, but none reached the adult stage until ex- 

 periments were begun with fifth-stage caterpillars. Scarcely any feeding was 

 observed after the bud scales and blossoms dropped. 



No field observations were made. 



Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica Marsh). 



In the trays adults were reared from second-stage larvae on this foliage, but 

 all were males. In the first stage but very little feeding could be found on the 

 leaves, and the larvae did not reach the second stage. 



In the field all stages were observed feeding upon the foliage, but no bad 

 stripping was noted until the later stages. 



