95 



trained man, equipped with the proper apparatus and insecticides, 

 was placed at work destroying the egg clusters, and in a few days 

 accomplished more than an amateur could have done in as many 

 weeks. 



While not as important in its injury to trees as the gypsy moth, 

 few insects have created a greater local commotion than the brown- 

 tail moth {Euproctis cJirysorrhcea JAnn.) in Boston and its suburbs 

 the present summer. The caterpillars were sufficiently numerous to 

 strip shade and fruit trees in many residential localities; pear trees 

 suffering to the greatest extent, with apple, cherry, plum, and willow 

 following in about the order named. 



As is generally known, the hairs of the brown-tail moth caterpillar 

 coming in contact with the human flesh jiroduce a fierce and endur- 

 ing irritation. As the caterpillars matured and commenced to 

 migrate in search of shelter, large numbers of children and many 

 adults were severely "poisoned" by them. So numerous were com- 

 plaints from this source, and so prevalent was the belief that a new 

 epidemic disease had appeared, that the Boston board of health gave 

 a publia hearing on the subject. At this hearing it was explained 

 that the so-called epidemic was due to the caterpillar hairs, and that 

 by the destruction of the winter webs which shelter the hibernating 

 insects, future annoyance could be prevented. As has been deter- 

 mined by Mr. F. J. Smith, former chemist to the gyps}^ moth com- 

 mittee, the irritation caused bj^ the caterpillars is probably of a 

 mechanical nature and not due to any poisonous principle contained 

 in the hairs. The hairs are barbed and very brittle, and when once 

 lodged in the skin are easily broken, and require several weeks for 

 their expulsion. 



It has not been possible to continue following accurately the spread 

 of this insect, but it is now known to occur in Brockton and in Hud- 

 son, Mass., and probably it has established itself throughout the ter- 

 ritory lying between these localities and the known infested region, 

 making a total infested area of over 1,200 square miles. More or less 

 work has been done against this insect by local park and street boards, 

 and where this has been carried on along approved lines the results 

 have been very satisfactory. 



It is noticeable that the moth is strongly attracted to lights, and 

 hence the greatest infestation is usually where street lights are most 

 numerous. The little European parasite, Diglochis omnivorous 

 Walker, is very effective in destroying the pupae, but its services 

 have not been sufficient to restrict the increase of the moth. 



Taking Massachusetts as a whole, the most general damage by any 

 insect pest the past season has been that by the elm-leaf beetle 

 {Galerucella luteola MuelL). This insect has now become established 

 in nearly all of our cities and larger towns, and has finally invaded 

 Boston, where it threatens to cause serious damage. It is noticeable 



