INSECT ENEMIES OF EASTERN FORESTS 413 
white line on either side and two conspicuous reddish spots on the 
back near the posterior end. Numerous tubercles with long, barbed 
hairs and with many short, brown hairs between are situated on the 
back and sides of the body. These hairs are poisonous and cause a 
severe rash when they come in contact with the human skin. 
Distrinution.—The brown-tail moth was first found in the United 
States at Somerville, Mass., in 1897, having been accidentally intro- 
duced from Europe. Later it became established in the eastern part 
of Connecticut, in Rhode Island, the eastern part of Vermont, and 
in New Hampshire, Maine, and the Provinces of New Brunswick and 
Nova Scotia. In recent years the most serious infestations have been 
confined to the southeastern part of Maine, the southern half of New 
Hampshire, and the eastern part of Massachusetts. 
The Federal Quarantine Act of 1912 regulating the shipments of 
nursery stock, the introduction and establishment of its parasites, 
and the eradication programs carried on by the Federal, State, and 
Municipal Governments have greatly reduced the infestations of the 
brown-tail moth and thus prevented widespread dispersion. 'The work 
against the brown-tail moth was also described by Burgess and Baker 
C70) 
Hosr Puants.—Pear, apple, plum, cherry, and hawthorn are most 
favored; but oak, rose, and willow are commonly attacked and occa- 
sionally other deciduous trees and shrubs are infested. Although all 
the oaks common to New England were severely attacked by the brown- 
tail moth for several years after its establishment in the United States, 
the white oak now seems to be the only oak particularly favored by 
this insect. 
SEASONAL History AND CHARACTER OF FEEDING.—There is one gen- 
eration annually in New England. The moths issue during the first 
half of July. They fly at night, are strong fliers, and are attracted to 
lights. The eggs hatch early in August, about 3 weeks after they are 
laid. The young larvae are gregarious and feed on the epidermis, 
first on the leaf bearing the egg mass and later on other nearby leaves, 
causing the leaves to turn brown or become scorched in appearance. 
They soon begin to spin their winter webs by fastening two or more 
leaves together near the tip of a branch, spinning silk over the outside 
of the webbed leaves and fastening them securely to the twig, thus mak- 
ing a rather tough grayish web 2 to 6 inches long, in which they hiber- 
nate during the winter (fig. 83, 4). They molt two or three times, 
and continue their feeding until cold weather stops their activity. 
The larvae from one or more egg masses may hibernate in one web. 
As soon as the leaf buds begin to swell in the spring the larvae emerge 
and begin to feed on bud scales and the unfolding leaves, usually de- 
vouring all but the midribs. The larvae become full grown about the 
middle of June. 
Silken cocoons (fig. 83, )) are spun usually among the leaves at the 
tips of the twigs, in which the larvae transform to pupae. The pupa 
is dark brown, about 5g inch long, and has yellowish-brown hairs scat- 
tered over the surface (fig. 88, B, C). When abundant the cocoons 
may be spun in amass. About 2 weeks are spent in the pupal stage. 
Economic Fratrurres.—During August and September the young 
larvae skeletonize the leaves and spin their webs for hibernation on 
the terminals; thus when abundant they may cause serious injury 
