REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 1913 49 



The spruce bud moth, Tortrix fumiferana Clem., was 

 very abundant in the Adirondack region and the tips of many 

 trees were browned as a consequence. The moths were flying in 

 numbers at Westport early in August. Though this insect has 

 been extremely numerous at times, we have yet to see evidences 

 of serious injury as a result of its work. This species was reported 

 as extremely abundant in several Maine localities by correspondents 

 of the office. 



Gnophomyia tristissima O. S. was reared June 8, 

 1912 from larvae found at Albany under decaying willow bark. 

 In the State collection there are specimens taken at Albany Sep- 

 tember 11, 1902, at Poughkeepsie June 8, 1902 and one captured 

 by Mr C. P. Alexander at Johnstown August 31, 1907. 



The striking Psilocephala melampodia Loew was 

 reared' May 1, 191 1 from a white larva about 1 inch long and taper- 

 ing at both extremities, found under badly decayed pine bark at 

 Albany. 



FRUIT TREE PESTS 



Apple tent caterpillar (Mai acosoma americana Fabr.). 

 The extended depredations of this common insect have been more 

 disastrous than in 19 12. Wild cherry trees in the Hudson valley, 

 Mohawk valley, portions of the Adirondacks and in other sections 

 of the State were often defoliated, while all too frequently many 

 of the trees in apple orchards were stripped of their leaves. The 

 latter was so general in some sections as to result in the loss of 

 practically the entire apple crop. Furthermore, these trees are in 

 no condition to produce fruit another year, although a fairly good 

 second crop of leaves was developed. It is perhaps unnecessary 

 to state that damage of this character was confined to unsprayed 

 trees. The probability of severe injury was announced last winter, 

 and it would have been comparatively easy to have checked the 

 pest early by timely spraying with a poison. The characteristic 

 brownish egg belts of this pest are about half an inch long and 

 wherever they are moderately abundant on the smaller twigs, a 

 recurrence of the outbreak may be expected. 



This insect is rather easily controlled in several ways. It is not 

 difficult to detect and remove the egg belts in winter, especially on 

 small to moderate sized trees. The nests of the young caterpillars 

 are fairly conspicuous before any material damage is done, and they 

 can be quickly removed with a stiff, conical brush attached to a 

 long pole, a procedure far preferable to the more popular burning 



