44 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



FRUIT TREE INSECTS 



Gipsy moth (Porthetria dispar Linn.). An examination 

 June 22, 19 1 7 at Mount Kisco of an area where a gipsy moth 

 infestation was discovered some five years ago revealed a very 

 satisfactory state of affairs. The insect had spread over approxi- 

 mately 175 acres on two large estates. During the past summer 

 we were informed no caterpillars or living gipsy moth in any stages 

 were found. Nevertheless, the entire infested area was thoroughly 

 sprayed with arsenate of lead, using 10 pounds to 100 gallons of 

 water, the application being made with one of the modern high- 

 power spraying outfits generally employed for woodland work in 

 eastern Massachusetts. The general indications are that the colony, 

 although larger than the earlier discovered one at Geneva, has like 

 that been exterminated. 



Yellow-necked apple worm (Datana ministra Drury). 

 This common leaf feeder, easily recognized by the conspicuous 

 yellow mark just back of the head in connection with a scant 

 hairiness and its black and yellow stripes, appeared in orchards 

 the latter part of August or early in September and was reported 

 from numerous localities throughout the State. The gregarious 

 habits of these pests result in branches or even entire trees being 

 rapidly defoliated, and as a consequence considerable injury is very 

 probable on young trees. 



This pest is easily controlled by crushing the small colonies of 

 caterpillars before they have had an opportunity of causing much 

 injury, or general protection may be secured against this and other 

 leaf feeders by spraying about the middle or the latter part of August 

 with arsenate of lead or similar poison applied at the usual strength. 



Red-humped apple worm (Schizura concinna Sm. and 

 Abb.). Colonies of this late leaf feeder began to appear in New 

 York orchards about mid July and continued feeding through that 

 month, August, September and even into October. These pests, 

 like the yellow-necked apple tree worm, are gregarious in habit and 

 consequently branches or young trees are very likely to be defoliated. 

 This red-humped caterpillar is most easily recognized by the red 

 head and the red humps just a little back of the head and near 

 the posterior extremity. The full-grown caterpillars are about 

 1 J inches long. This insect was unusually abundant and destructive 

 in many orchards throughout the State and occasioned considerable 

 apprehension on account of its depredations. The pest is easily 

 controlled by the same measures as advised above for the yellow- 

 necked apple worm. 



