20 FIELD WORK AGAINST GIPSY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTHS. 



ment on account of their location and condition of infestation. 

 Methods which could be readily applied in wooded areas were entirely 

 unsuited for use in residential sections. 



DISCOVERY OF THE BROWN-TAIL MOTH IN AMERICA. 



The work on the gipsy moth resulted in a great reduction of the 

 numbers of the insect and a steady improvement in the condition of 

 the infested territory, in spite of the fact that the legislature seldom 

 granted the appropriations which were deemed absolutely necessary 

 by the board of agriculture, and the availability of the funds was 

 often delayed so that many of the trained men were thrown out of 

 employment for a part of the year, which of course greatly affected 

 the efficiency of the force. To add to the difficulties of the situation 

 complaints were received during the summer of 1897 that trees and 

 shrubs in Somerville, Mass., were being severely injured by an insect 

 which appeared to be new to the region. 



An investigation showed that the trouble was caused by the brown- 

 tail moth (Euproctis chrysorrhma L.), an insect well known and at 

 times as noxious in Europe as the gipsy moth. 



Careful inquiry indicated that this species was probably imported 

 from Europe a few years before on rose or nursery stock by a local 

 florist. The attention of the governor was called to the matter by 

 the state board of agriculture, and, realizing the seriousness of the 

 pest and the desirability of stamping it out at once, he sent a special 

 message to the legislature, which was then in session, suggesting that 

 action be taken without delay. 



A law was passed requiring property owners to destroy the insects 

 on their premises, and the opportunity for stamping out the pest 

 before it could become generally disseminated was lost. As is always 

 the case, some of the citizens and municipalities made every effort 

 to destroy the pest, but through the neglect and indifference of 

 others little permanent good was accomplished. 



The following year $10,000 was diverted from the gipsy moth 

 appropriation to ''prevent the spread of the brown-tail moth," but 

 the money did not become available for use until after the cater- 

 pillars had left their winter webs and begun feeding. Thus the insect 

 was allowed to spread for two seasons after it was discovered, because 

 the work was not taken up promptly under proper supervision. 

 When work was begun it was found that the insect had spread over 

 a large territory and it seemed almost impossible to stamp it out. 

 A detailed account of this insect was prepared by Fernald and 

 Kirkland in 1903 and published by the Massachusetts board of 

 agriculture. 



