124 



Bulletin 76 



spots ten or eleven in all. This is also well shown in figure 3. In the 

 moths, the rust red oblique lines on the front wings of the forest cater- 

 pillar are replaced in the tent caterpillar by similar lines of a dingy white. 

 /K^ f,^ ^» ^„^^^ There are numerous other differences, but the 

 • §jh ifcAJlSZs^'^^S' ^^°'^^ ^''^ sufficient for ordinary use. It may 

 \ vC^MH^T^^^ be well to add, however, that it is usually not 

 difficult to distinguish the two species even by 

 the egg clusters. That of the tent caterpillar 

 FIGURE 7. MOTH OK THE 's thinner at the ends than in the middle so 

 FOREST CATERPILLAR, that it is oval in general outline. The egg 

 Male, natural size After cluster of the forest caterpillar is of nearly 

 ^'^'^ uniform diameter throughout, as figure 1 



shows, the ends instead of sloping down to the twig, appearing as if cut 

 off squarely. 



III. RAVAGES IN VERMONT 



While the outlook for the coming season is not as assuring as could be 

 wished, yet there is great reason for hope that the ravages of this insect 

 will not be as great as they have been during the last three years. During 

 the summer of 1899 the writer visited many of the towns in different parts 

 of the state and in most, though not all, of these the damage done by the 

 caterpillars was said to be less than it was during the preceding year. Still 

 many rows of trees along the streets and many maple groves presented a 

 most pitiable appearance. 



I think that I can give an accurate account of the doings of the cater- 

 pillars in the state in no better way than by quoting extracts from a few of 

 the many letters which have been received from those who have had only 

 too good opportunities of observing this insect. 



Miss Anna C- Brackett writes from Stowe as follows : 



" I send you a report of the ravages of Clisiocampa disstria for the year 



1899. It was very much worse than last year, in the village, so that many 



of the people who last year did not pay much attention to the cocoons on 



their buildings are very much alive now to 



their presence. The number of the worms 



in the village was so great that the village 



authorities took hold of the matter and had 



all the trees alongside of the road covered 



with bandages of burlaps and these were 



kept well tarred. The trees therefore do not 



look very badly there. In the woods and 



sugar orchards the damage has been very 



great, though some of the places that were 



FIGURE 8. MOTH OF THE 

 FOREST CATERPILLAR 

 Female, natural size 

 After Weed 



