INSECT ENEMIES OF EASTERN FORESTS All 
portance in checking the ravages of this pest. Burgess and Crossman 
(73) gave an account of the early introductions. 
Two parasites of gypsy moth eggs, Anastatus disparis Ruschke 
and Ooencyrtus kuvanae How., are quite well distributed, particularly 
through the older infested areas, the latter species being more effective 
in the areas of milder climate. These two parasites take a tremendous 
toll of eggs each year. 
Apanteles melanoscelus Ratz., Compsilura concinnata Meig., and 
Sturmia scutellata R. D. are larval parasites and apparently are well 
distributed through the northeastern part of the United States. When 
the gypsy moth infestation was discovered at Pittston, Pa., in 1932, all 
three of these imported parasites were present there in considerable 
numbers. A. me/anoscelus passes through two generations during the 
larval period of the gypsy moth, and then hibernates until the follow- 
ing spring in its cocoon attached to some portion of a tree or other 
object. Owing to the long exposure of its cocoons to hyperparasites 
it is seriously handicapped, but in some years it increases so that it is 
very effective. C. concinnata is especially effective in light infesta- 
tions. where it frequently parasitizes 40 to 50 percent or more of the 
hosts. It has a wide range of native hosts and has dispersed far 
beyond the limits of the area known to be infested by the gypsy 
moth. Because of these propensities this parasite is being colonized 
in other parts of the United States and Canada to aid in the control 
of other lepidopterous pests. Sturmia scutellata is most efficient 
where its puparia are protected in the leaf mold by a covering of 
snow during the winter, and in such localities it often parasitizes over 
50 percent of the gypsy moth. 
Apanteles lacteicolor Vier., Hyposoter disparis Vier., Monodon- 
tomerus aereus Wlkr., and Phorocera agilis R. D. are known to be well 
established in New England. Calosoma sycophanta L. has well dem- 
onstrated its efficiency as a predator. In heavy woodland infestations 
of the gypsy moth this beneficial beetle has been taken in traps at the 
rate of over 4,000 per acre. 
A disease known as “wilt” causes the death of enormous numbers of 
larvae and pupae each year, epidemics often occurring when conditions 
are favorable. Severe winter temperatures sometimes kill large num- 
bers of unprotected eggs. Insectivorous birds commonly attack the 
gypsy moth, particularly in the early larval instars. 
In spite of the efficiency of the introduced parasites, and other natu- 
ral control factors, outbreaks in certain parts of New England occur all 
too frequently. In Europe, where the gypsy moth has been present 
for centuries, outbreaks also occur periodically. It is believed that the 
aggregate effect of the introduced natural enemies of the gypsy moth 
in the United States is approaching that which exists in central 
Europe. In many New England localities infested by the gypsy 
moth, the natural enemies have been important factors in preventing 
outbreaks, and in the older infested areas they are responsible for a 
lengthening of the intervals between outbreaks. 
ControL.—The importance of control by silvicultural practices 
wherever applicable should be emphasized. This consists of develop- 
ing stands that will be resistant to gypsy moth attack by reducing the 
proportion of species favored as food by the larvae. With few excep- 
