4 CONNECTICUT EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN I53. 



Egg^s, pupae and larvae can be killed by dropping them itito a jar of 

 alcohol, benzine or gasoline and leaving them for a few hours. When 

 removed the liquid evaporates and they are in good shape for identifica- 

 tion. Beetles, bugs and scale insects can be treated in the same way. 

 Moths and butterflies may be killed by the fumes of cyanide, chloroform, 

 ether, carbon bisulphide, or they may be submerged in gasoline or ben- 

 zine, which kills them quickly without injuring them for the purpose of 

 identification. They should be packed in a tin, wood or strong paste- 

 board box which will not be crushed in transit. 



THE GYPSY MOTH. 

 Porthetria dispar Linn. 



An outbreak of the gypsy moth in Eastern Massachusetts 

 was met by an appropriation by the Legislature of that state 

 for, the purpose of suppressing the insect. Exterminative 

 work was commenced in 1890 and kept up for ten years, when 

 it was discontinued. During this period over $1,000,000 was 

 expended and the insect was so far checked that it was doing 

 little damage in 1900. In 1905 the pest had spread over so 

 much territory and had become so troublesome that the com- 

 monwealth again took the matter in hand, and is endeavoring 

 to control the insect under the superintendence of Mr. A. H. 

 Kirkland, an appropriation of $300,000 being available to carry 

 on the work until May, 1907. 



At the present time the insect is found throughout the 

 eastern portion of Massachusetts, southeastern New Hamp- 

 shire, and a region in and about Providence, R. I., is known 

 to have been infested for two years or more. It has been 

 reported several times in Connecticut, but always proved to be 

 some other species. In July, 1905, two adult female moths 

 were taken and two males were seen by Mr. E. Frensch at 

 Stonington, and recently egg-masses have been found in the 

 same locality. 



Life History and Injury. 



The eggs are laid, usually on the trunks and branches of 

 trees, in July and August, in oval masses each containing 

 about 500 eggs and covered with hair as shown in Figure i. 



The eggs hatch about May ist, and the young caterpillars 



