4^ NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Stowe and Marlboro, and a colony has been found at Stonington, 

 Ct. The brown tail moth flies readily and has already become 

 established in the Connecticut valley. There is no knowing when 

 either of these insects may enter New York State, and owing to the 

 importance of detecting their presence as soon as possible, it was 

 deemed advisable to issue a warning placard, figuring in colors 

 and giving the salient characteristics of each. It was distributed 

 early in July. The placard was supplemented by Museum bulletin 

 103, which gives a summarized account of both insects and their 

 work. The reader is referred to this publication for further details 

 respecting these dangerous pests. 



These two publications aroused much interest among all classes. 

 The press cooperated in a most satisfactory manner, most of the 

 local papers publishing extracts from either the placard or the 

 bulletin, and some giving rather extended accounts culled from 

 these publications. A large number of people were interested and 

 many leaf-feeding caterpillars in particular were sent to the office 

 for identification. Reports of serious injuries by supposed gipsy 

 moth were published by various newspapers during the summer, 

 but without exception it was found that the ravages were due to 

 the work of some other pest and that it was therefore a case of 

 mistaken identity. The efforts outlined above were supplemented 

 by special inspection by Assistant I. L. Nixon, "about the railroad 

 yards of New York city and vicinity, Poughkeepsie, Albany, Rens- 

 selaer, Karner, Troy, Watervliet, Cohoes, Schenectady^ Mechanic- 

 ville and Rotterdam Junction without finding any signs of these 

 insects. This examination showed beyond question that so far as 

 most of these yards are concerned there was very little opportunity 

 for the gipsy moth, carried either as eggs or caterpillars, becoming 

 established, as there was not much available vegetation in the near 

 vicinity of most of the tracks. It is a source of gratification to 

 state that, so far as known at the present time, neither the gipsy 

 moth nor its associate, the brown tail moth, has become established 

 in New York State. There is still great danger of these pests 

 becoming established within our boundaries, and we would there- 

 fore bespeak the further cooperation of all interested in the sub- 

 jection of insect enemies, since a relatively small effort at the 

 outset may prevent enormous losses later. 



A personal inspection of the infested region in eastern Massa- 

 chusetts during July showed that conditions generally were much 

 better than they were the preceding season, or in fact at any time 

 within the last two or three years. There has been a most hearty 



