Forest Protection 171 



into a pupa which is dark reddish or chocolate in color and 

 very thinly sprinkled with dark reddish hairs. The pupa 

 stage lasts from ten days to two weeks, while the cat- 

 erpillar is changing to a moth. 



The female moth does not fly and dies soon after de- 

 positing the egg mass, which remains over winter on the 

 tree. All the damage is caused by the caterpillars. The 

 moth spreads in the caterpillar stage or by the transporta- 

 tion of the egg clusters. 



The caterpillar feeds on any species of tree found in 

 Massachusetts and completely defoliates them. Two or' 

 three defoliations will kill the hardwoods, one only will 

 kill the softwoods. 



The insect has many natural enemies, but they are not 

 sufficient to keep it in check without human aid. The 

 most effective method is the soaking of the egg masses 

 with a creosote mixture applied with a small swab or 

 brush. The trees must be climbed and a careful search 

 made for the clusters. Arsenate of lead, 10 pounds to 100 

 gallons of water, may also be used effectively as a spraying 

 solution when the caterpillars are small. Since the cater- 

 pillars crawl up the trees in search of a crevice in which 

 to lie during the day, a loose band of burlap will form an 

 inviting retreat in which many will collect. This must 

 be examined daily and the caterpillars destroyed. Bands 

 of paper covered with printers' ink or "tanglefoot" catch 

 many and prevent them from going up the trees. 



The brown-tail moth 



The brown-tail moth (Euproctis abrysorrhora) was in- 

 troduced from Europe on some nursery stock in 1890. 



