82 REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST I92I 



FOREST INSECTS 



Antlered maple caterpillar (Heterocampa guttivitta 

 Walk.). The work of this insect was very abundant in sections 

 of Chautauqua county^ sugar bushes in some portions being entirely 

 defoliated, according to a report received the last of July, 1919 from 

 T. J. Rupert, assistant county agricultural agent. 



This insect has been rather abundant and injurious during recent 

 years in the Berkshires adjoining the eastern border of the State 

 and in some cases the pest doubtless extended its work into the 

 New York area. The previous outbreak in this State of any 

 moment occurred in 191 7. A brief account of the species may be 

 found in the report for that year. Museum Bulletin 124. 



The control of most forest leaf-eating caterpillars under present 

 conditions, depends very largely upon the efficiency of natural 

 checks such as insect parasites and birds. The former have pre- 

 sumably not been greatly influenced by changes within the last 50 

 years, whereas there appears to have been a material decrease in the 

 abundance of birds, and if entomological records of recent years are 

 comparable with those of earlier times, insect ravages in forests 

 have been more extended. It is therefore suggested in this connec- 

 tion that better protection of birds is one of the most promising 

 methods of avoiding serious injury by this and associated leaf 

 feeders. 



Gipsy moth (Porthetria dispar Linn.) . The menace of 

 the gipsy moth is increasing with the passing of time. This is 

 evidenced by the discovery in 1920 of very small, scattering infesta- 

 tions on Long Island, at Brooklyn, Greenport, Patchogue, Orient 

 Point, Shelter Island and Soutlihold and a smaller colony at Garri- 

 son. A somewhat extended and serious infestation was discovered 

 in New Jersey in July 1920 and it is quite possible that some of 

 the above-mentioned infestations in this State originated from this 

 older and much more wide-spread infested area in New Jersey. 



The season of 1921 was marked by the finding of the gipsy moth 

 in a southwest town of Vermont, which means that as a result of 

 natural spread, the insect has virtually reached the New York State 

 line and the same is almost true for the northwest corner of Massa- 

 chusetts. There has also been a marked extension in the south- 

 western portion of Massachusetts, the insect now occurring in small 

 numbers in the towns of Becket, Otis and Sandisfield, all within 

 about 15 miles of the New York State line. 



