the; saddled prominent. 347 



was thus so rapid that after a few days of heavy stench, nothing 

 remained of the plague-stricken caterpillars. 



In localities where the caterpillars died this season in this 

 wholesale manner, it would seem that little need be feared from 

 caterpillar attacks for the coming year. 



In what manner the fungus disease started is not known. 

 Possibly it found entrance among the wounded caterpillars that 

 predaceous bugs had stabbed. In one or two localities there 

 seemed to be some indication that such was the case. Once 

 well started it would not be difficult for the disease to spread 

 rapidly for the fungus penetrates throughout the body of the 

 caterpillar, and the spores are thrown to considerable distance 

 in all directions so that they light upon caterpillars below, or 

 upon parts of the tree over which healthy caterpillars would 

 travel. Podisus modestus was observed repeatedly in close 

 proximity to diseased caterpillars, and it is not unlikely that 

 such bugs would transfer fungus spores from sick caterpillars 

 to healthy ones. 



It is worth recording in this respect that this fungus outbreak 

 came in a dry season. At Hampshire Hill, Mercer, for instance, 

 it had rained but twice in the month (July 17 and July 27) 

 previous to the height of the fungus disease which occurred 

 July 28 to August 1. This severe fungus attack at Mercer 

 occurred over an area the altitude of which was from 680 to 

 1020 feet, reaching the summit of the hill. Although it was a 

 particularly dry season, various species of caterpillars were 

 attacked by fungus all over the State about this time, though in 

 many localities the saddled prominents had become full fed and 

 safely pupated before the fungus developed. 



BIRD ENEMIES. 



As a rule soft bodied caterpillars are soon checked by birds. 

 In order to form some estimation of the role birds were taking 

 in the present outbreak, observations of badly infested areas 

 were planned for this year. This could not be carried out until 

 late July and early August, and it chanced that each place 

 selected for the desired data was experiencing a wholesale 

 fungus attack which naturally interfered with bird diet. 



The following list of Maine birds, however, gives species 

 which are undoubtedly beneficial. Of these 45 are reported as 



