REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST I906 45 



NOTES FOR THE YEAR 



The following- summarized accounts treat of some of the more 

 interesting forms observed during the season. An unusual occur- 

 rence was the capture in Albany of a large South American moth 

 (Thysania zenobia Cramer) which is represented in the 

 natural size on plate i. This species was undoubtedly brought 

 to Albany with a boat load of tropical fruit. More common forms 

 observed during the year have been grouped together under ap- 

 propriate heads as in previous reports. 



Fruit insects 



Yellow-necked appletree caterpillar (Datana ministra 

 Drury). This common leaf feeder is more or less abundant in 

 orchards from year to year, and during the past season, caterpillars 

 were received the latter part of July and throughout August, from 

 various sections of the State. The young of this insect feed in 

 clusters and, as a consequence, their depredations are more ap- 

 parent than those of the more solitary feeders. Injury can fre- 

 quently be prevented by cutting infested tips bearing clusters of 

 caterpillars and crushing the pests, or recourse may be had to 

 treatment with arsenical poisons. The sprayings ordinarily given 

 for the control of the codling moth and early spring leaf feeders, 

 are usually amply sufficient to prevent this species from inflicting 

 any material injury. 



Red-humped appletree caterpillar (Schizura concinna 

 Abb. & Sm.). This rather common leaf feeder is more or less 

 prevalent in orchards of the State, and numerous specimens were 

 sent from different sections from late July throughout August. It 

 is very rarely that this insect is abundant enough to cause an)/ 

 appreciable damage, and ordinarily the sprayings given for the 

 control of the codling moth and the earlier leaf-feeding insects 

 are amply sufficient to keep this species in check. 



Gipsy and brown tail moths (Porthetria dispar Linn., 

 Euproctis chrysorrhoea Linn.) . These two insects 

 have aroused considerable apprehension in New York State in the 

 last two or three years. This is particularly true of the gipsy 

 moth, since the automobile has become so popular, because experi- 

 ence has shown this vehicle to be a most efficient agent in dis- 

 seminating this destructive leaf feeder. This insect is steadily 

 extending its range, having become well established in southern 

 New Hampshire, made its way west in Massachusetts to Maynard, 



