INSECTS OF THE YEAR. 

 Edith M. Patch. 



Tussock moth. Cocoons of two species of tussock moth, 

 Notolophus leucostigma and N. antiqua, were received in such 

 numbers during the present year that it is simpler to give them 

 single mention than to list each specimen sent for identification. 

 Most of these cocoons were accompanied by the question " Is 

 this the nest of the brown-tail moth ? " In order that further 

 confusion may be avoided to some extent at least, figures 14 

 and 15 are presented with this comment: The winter nests 

 of the brown-tail moth contain many tiny caterpillars, while 

 the cocoons of the tussock moth are empty during the winter 

 and those from which the females have emerged are covered by 

 a mass of whitish eggs. These egg clusters should be collected 

 and burned. 



Red-hnmped catapillars. There were talso too many of the 

 red-humped caterpillars, CEdeniasia concinna, to list in the 

 accompanying table. Between July 29 and October 28, 1905, 

 81 lots of these caterpillars were received for identification. As 

 only II came last year, these insects seem to be on the increase 

 at present. They undoubtedly did great damage in the State 

 this season. Many orchardists reported that entire orchards of 

 young trees were stripped of their foliage, except for the mid 

 ribs of the leaves, before the presence of the pest had been dis- 

 covered. They are not especially difificult to combat as the broods 

 are gregarious and if found while the caterpillars are young the 

 whole colony can usually be removed with ease. The fact that 

 they come late in the season makes their attacks a surprise often- 

 times. Arsenical sprays will kill them, but the presence of ripe 

 fruit sometimes debars the use of poison. There is no difficulty 

 in recognizing this peculiar caterpillar by its red head and con- 

 spicuous red band about the body a short distance behind the 

 head. See fisfure 16. 



