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NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



by bands of silk as is the case with this introduced species. The 

 snow-white brown tail moths are attracted to light and in infested 

 regions may be very numerous in July. 



Food plants. This species has been recorded on a considerable 

 number of food plants. Apple and pear appear to be favorites 

 in the infested region, and the same is true of wild cherry and 

 white oak. The pests are nearly as abundant on both hard and 

 soft maples and apparently to a less extent on elm. It also occurs 

 on quince, plum, cherry, peach, rose and grape, some of which 

 are seriously injured. Messrs Fernald and Kirkland give a list 

 of 8 1 trees and shrubs upon which the caterpillars have been 

 observed feeding. 



Irritation caused by the hairs. Investigations have shown that 

 this trouble is entirely a mechanical one and is not, as it was at 

 first supposed, due to any poisonous irritating substance in the 

 hairs. The nettling of the skin may be caused by contact with 

 either old or young caterpillars or cocoons, though in the latter 

 case contact is not necessary, since hairs from them are blown 

 about by the winds. Professor Fernald cites the statement of an 

 English journal that travelers are often affected when the wind 

 blows strongly from infested hedges along the road. This severe 

 irritation may be allayed by applying vaseline and sweet oil to the 

 affected parts. Alcohol has been employed with some success, 

 and the trouble is so prevalent in the Metropolitan district that 

 druggists have special lotions for this brown tail itch, many of 

 which are valuable. 



Natural enemies. A number of parasites have been reared 

 from pupae in this country. Professor Fernald records the breeding 

 of Phaeogenes hebe Cress., Diglochis omnivora 

 Walker, Euphorocera claripennis Macq. and a large 

 number of unnamed dipterous parasites from this insect. He 

 states that the work of Diglochis is specially valuable and he also 

 records the destruction of many caterpillars by the soldier bug, 

 Podisus serieventris Uhl., P. placidus Uhl., 

 Milyas cinctus Fabr. and Liotropis humeralis 

 Uhl. assist in this good work. A serious effort is being made by 

 Superintendent Kirkland to obtain European parasites of this 

 species, and in view of its extended depredations upon forest 

 trees it is most sincerely hoped that the quest will prove entirely 

 satisfactory. « 



A number of native birds prey upon this species. Professor 

 Fernald states that the Baltimore oriole, black-billed and yellow- 

 billed cuckoos, crow, bluebird and English sparrow have also been 



