NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 83 



The isolated infestation in New York and New Jersey have been 

 given the best possible treatment by federal and state of^cials work- 

 ing in cooperation, and those at Brooklyn and Garrison in this State 

 are at the point of extinction. The marked progress in handling 

 the situation is best seen in New Jersey where the larger and denser 

 infestation with its three million egg masses in 1920 was reduced 

 to less than one hundred at the end of the past season. This is a 

 marvelous reduction and indicates the possibilities of well-directed 

 exterminative measures. In this connection it should be stated that 

 two earlier infestations in New York State, namely, one at Mount 

 Kisco and the other at Geneva, were exterminated. There is no 

 question as to the possibilities in this direction. 



It is very difficult to prevent the dissemination of this insect 

 through repressive and quarantine work of the federal government 

 in cooperation with the interested states, though this has accom- 

 plished much in slowing up or checking what would otherwise have 

 been an extremely rapid spread. The western extension in south- 

 ern Vermont and Massachusetts means that New York State in 

 the near future will have a gipsy moth problem of its own. It is 

 considered advisable, however, to continue the general practice of 

 earlier years and exterminate remote infestations and at the same 

 time interpose every practicable barrier to the rapid spread of this 

 insect. 



Snow-white linden moth (Ennomos subsignarius 

 Hubn. ) . Full-grown or nearly full-grown measuring worms of this 

 species were received under date of July 7, 1920, from C. L. Wil- 

 liams, Laurens, Otsego county, accompanied by the statement that 

 the insects were exceedingly abundant and causing material injury 

 over large areas of woodland. Most of the measuring worms were 

 full grown or nearly so when received and several had pupated, 

 indicating that there would be comparatively little additional injury. 

 Mr Williams stated that the pests fed upon basswood, ash, beech, 

 soft maple and a little on hard maple, the preference being in about 

 the order designated. 



After these trees were stripped, they ate everything except cherry. 

 He added that this was the third and the worst year of attack, 

 nearly all timber being stripped. The preceding year the woods 

 were so full of the moths that if a branch was thrown in to the 

 trees, the multitude of flying insects suggested a snow storm. 



Similar injuries extending over a considerable area were reported 

 in the nearby town of Lisbon by B. J. Churchill. 



