The Creeping Gypsy Moth, a Serious Shade Tree Menace 



By Luke J. Doogue, Massachusetts 



The female gypsy moth does not fly. The eggs 

 laid in immense numbers, hatch out during the first 

 part of April, the caterpillar state lasting for about 

 ten weeks. The gypsy moth feeds only during this 

 time. The caterpillars remain on the under sides of 

 the leaves, and as they attain size develop the night 

 feeding habit, concealing themselves during the day 

 in any place affording protection 





A few cents distributed among children will bring 

 to light many gypsy moth nests. The children will 

 eagerly do the work of searching 



Gypsy moth nest on a leaf. A nest like this will 

 contain about 40O eggs 



Gypsy moth pupae. The moth emerges from this 



The natural enemy of the gypsy moth in both lava 

 and beetle form devouring gypsy caterpillars. This 

 beetle was brought to this country and cultivated by 

 the Massachusetts Gypsy Moth Commission, and 

 many thousands have been distributed to begin 

 their work of extermination 



Burlap placed about the trunks of trees is a good 

 trap to catch gypsies. When large the worms do 

 their eating during the night and hide from the 

 light during the day. The burlap is doubled over 

 and the gypsies will hide under it. Hundreds can 

 be easily destroyed during the daytime 



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In looking for gypsy moths a 

 miiror is very handy, as it 

 makes possible the inspection 

 of places difficult to get at 



On the stones of this bulk- 

 head hundreds of nests were 

 laid ; and even on loose stones 

 nests were found 



The gypsy moth female, un- Destroy gypsy moth nests 



like the brown tail, does not with creosote, applying it to 



fly, but the caterpillar is car- each nest •with a brush. It pene- 



ried from place to place trates and kills the eggs 



282 



The gypsy moth is not par- 

 ticular where she lays her eggs. 

 A nest may be found on old 

 clothing, etc. 



