REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST I9II 5 1 



caterpillars, the numerals indicating- the number actually seen 

 eaten or carried off during the above-mentioned period, a time 

 when the birds were less active than earlier in the morning: 

 English sparrows 25, robins 13, cow birds 3, cedar waxwings 2, 

 Baltimore orioles 2, crow blackbirds i, chipping sparrows 2; 

 total 48. 



Control or remedial measures. A scrutiny of the history and 

 habits of this insect justifies the belief that under normal condi- 

 tions, parasites and birds should keep this pest under control. 

 The recent severe, widely separated, though local outbreaks must 

 be construed as another evidence of a deficiency in the number 

 of insectivorous birds. These caterpillars are smooth and there- 

 fore form a most acceptable diet to many of our native species. 

 More adequate protection to our birds must be classed as one of 

 the most effective methods of keeping this insect in check. 



Local outbreaks on the more valuable shade trees of cities and 

 villages can be easily checked by thorough spraying with an 

 arsenical poison, preferably arsenate of lead, using at least two 

 pounds (15 per cent arsenic oxid) to fifty gallons of water and 

 making the application as soon as there is evidence that a number 

 of caterpillars are at work. Unfortunately, many such out- 

 breaks are not detected till almost too late for the successful use 

 of a poison. In such instances many of the descending cater- 

 pillars can be killed by inclosing the trunks of the infested trees 

 with a low, overhanging barricade and then treating the collected 

 larvae with hot water, kerosene or other contact insecticides. 

 Small trees can be protected in large measure by jarring the 

 caterpillars from them, and if sticky bands (tree tanglefoot is 

 most efficient) are placed around the trunk and properly 

 guarded, none can ascend to continue the destructive work. 



Bibliography 



A few of the principal references, together with citations of 

 later records, are given below. These, in connection with the 

 earlier bibliographies, afford a ready clue to the literature of 

 this species. 



1896 Slingerland, M. V. Cornell Univ. Agric. Exp't Sta. Bui 123 

 p. 509-22. 



1S98 Felt, E. P. 14th Rep't State Ent., N. Y. State Mus. Bui. 23, 

 p. 207-12. 



1899 Beach, S. A., Lowe, V. H. and Stewart, F. C. N. Y. Agric. Exp't 

 Sta. Bui. I/O, p. 395. 



