Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station 



BURLINGTON, VT. 

 CIKCULAE No. 2 



March, 1909 



THE GYPSY AND BROWN TAIL iMOTHS 



Wm. Stuart, Horticulturist 



The Gypsy and Brown Tail moths have spread from Massa- 

 chusetts to New Hampshire and other New England States. 

 Immense sums of money have already been spent in an attempt 

 to prevent further devastation. These facts quite naturally 

 have caused alarm in Vermont, especially near the Massachusetts 

 and New Hampshire borders; alarm manifested during the 

 last year or two by the large numbers of insects sent to the Sta- 

 tion, believed to be either the Gypsy or the Brown Tail moth. 

 In no instance were the fears of the sender warranted. The 

 writer has no personal knowledge of their invasion of A''ermont. 

 How long this statement may hold true cannot be foretold ; but it 

 is clear that the chance of infestation increases with their greater 

 spread. The earlier the State is informed vf their arrival, the 

 easier, the less costly and the more certain their extermination. 

 Hence the residents of counties bordering on Massachusetts or 

 Nczi< Hampshire territory should be especially obsei-iant of all 

 unfamiliar caterpillars or maths. When doubt exists they should 

 be at once forwarded to the Station for identification. The Sta- 

 tion will at once notify the Commissioner of Agriculture if as 

 a matter of fact the specimen sent is of either species\ 

 It is suggested that inasmuch as the present incumbent of that of- 

 fice is not an entomologist specimens be submitted to the Sta- 

 tion rather than to him, in the interests of saving time and 

 obviating the necessity of their transshipment. Place name and 



'Acts of 1908. No. 11, Sec. 8 (in part): Sec. S. Said commis- 

 sioner may use such means as in his judgment are necessary to ex- 

 terminate or prevent the introduction of the San Jose scale, the gypsy 

 moth the brown tail moth and any other threatening and unusual in- 

 sect 'pest found to be injuring vegetable growth." 



