6 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



It will be seen at once that these insects have inflicted serious 

 financial loss in the infested sections and in addition thereto there 

 has been great personal discomfort accompanied in some instances 

 by physical suffering. The young caterpillars, easily dislodged 

 during active feeding, spin down on a web when somewhat dis- 

 turbed and adhere to the clothing of passers. This annoyance is 

 very great and many carry umbrellas for the purpose of keeping 

 the hairy pests at a little distance. The hordes of caterpillars living 

 in adjacent forest or fruit trees desert the same when nearly mature 

 or after their food supply is exhausted, and wander in all directions. 

 They frequently become so abundant in localities where no effort 

 has been made to check them, as to swarm on the sides of houses, 

 literally covering square yards of buildings, and unless removed 

 are very likely to make their way into the dwellings, to the horrpr 

 of the housewife. Residents of the infested section during cater- 

 pillar time may be observed both morning and evening with brush 

 and dustpan, removing the invaders from the buildings. The 

 sidewalks become so thickly covered with the creatures that it is 

 almost impossible to walk without crushing them, and the mangled 

 remains of victims make footing very disagreeable if not insecure. 



■ Worse than this, the stiff hairs of the brown tail moth cater- 

 pillar are barbed and, falling from their bodies or blowing from 

 the empty cocoons in midsummer, may cause a very annoying rash, 

 the brown tail itch, which is said by some to cause more suffering 

 than that accompanying ivy or dogwood poisoning, the sting of 

 bees or hornets, or other similar painful injuries. This irritation 

 is so great in the case of persons with a somewhat delicate cuticle, 

 as to cause serious illness. The trouble is so prevalent that salves 

 or emollients for its allay ment are for sale by most local druggists. 

 It has been estimated that the rental value of property in the 

 worst infested sections about Boston has been reduced from 20% 

 to 50% on account of the caterpillar plague. Furthermore, the 

 better class of people obliged to live in such districts, go to the 

 country or seashore as soon as possible in the spring, and remain 

 there till after the caterpillar season has passed, thus depriving the 

 community of money which would otherwise be spent in infested 

 districts. 



The female gipsy moth does not fly and, unaided, the p^st 

 spreads slowly. The spinning down habits of the caterpillars 

 facilitate its distribution by persons and vehicles, among the most 

 efficient of which may be mentioned automobiles. The brown tail 

 moth flies readily and has already extended its range greatly 



