FOOD PLANTS OF THE GIPSY MOTH IN AMERICA. 31 



Southern White Cedar and Red Maple. 



Maple feeding was very light in the first stage; a gradual increase in the 

 ensuing stages, which was never more than moderate. Cedar was not eaten in 

 any stage even when the maple was in a withered condition. The growth of 

 the larvae varied greatly in this experiment. 



In Middleboro, Mass., a large area in a swamp where these species predomi- 

 nate has been under observation for several years. During some seasons both 

 the maples and the cedars have been defoliated, the latter by the large larva?. 



The small amount of undergrowth and the few other species of trees are un- 

 favored food for gipsy-moth larva?, and in this case practically all the feeding 

 has been confined to the two species under discussion. Tbis field record fur- 

 nishes information which is quite contradictory to the laboratory experiments, 

 although such evidence is exceptional. 



American Hornbeam and Red Oak. 



Feeding was continuous in all stages on the oak, but was very slight on the 

 hornbeam in the first two stages, but later was much greater. A decided prefer- 

 ence for oak was shown in all stages. The larva? grew steadily and attained 

 large size. A good percentage reached the adult stage. 



Hophornbeam and Red Oak. 



The larvae fed freely in all stages on the oak, and the feeding increased from 

 slight at the start to moderately free on hornbeam at the close of the ex- 

 periment. Larva? grew rapidly and attained large size and a good percentage 

 reached the adult stage. 



American Linden and Red Maple. 



The larva? fed moderately on the maple throughout the experiment. Linden 

 feeding was moderate in the first stage, falling off slightly in the second and 

 third, and moderate in the remaining stages. The larva? were of good size 

 and a fair percentage of adults was obtained. 



Elm and White Pine. 



None of the first-stage larva? started on these food plants passed beyond the 

 third stage. They fed only on the elm and were of very small size. Those 

 started in the third stage produced male and female moths. They fed slowly 

 on these foods, and grew accordingly. 



In the field there has apparently been a steady decrease in the infestation, 

 the pines being eaten by the large larva?. 



Hemlock and American Linden. 



Larva? fed freely on linden in all stages and very slightly on hemlock in the 

 second stage. Feeding increased on the latter species in each successive stage. 

 The larva? attained moderate size, and a few adults were reared. 



Hemlock and Sugar Maple. 



There was no feeding on the hemlock during the first stage, but it increased 

 gradually from the second to the sixth stage. Feeding was moderate on maple 

 during the whole experiment. The larva? reached medium size, and a few adults 

 of both sexes were obtained. 



