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FOOD PLANTS OF THE GIPSY MOTH IN AMERICA. 25 
ScARLET SuMAC (Rhus glabra L.) 
This is another favorable species, and the larve grew to very large size. The 
first stage began feeding on the swelling buds by eating a small hole through 
the scales, and as the milky sap began to flow the larve fed upon it. They did 
not move about very much, but grew rapidly. 
Feeding has been observed by all stages in the field. 
StacHorN Sumac (Rhus hirta [L.] Sudw.). 
This is not as favorable a species as the two foregoing. The larvze do not 
grow as large. They will, however, develop from the first stage, but are badly 
attacked by disease. 
All stages feed upon it in the field. 
Rep Gum (Liquidambar siyraciflua L.). 
This species ranks high as a favored food plant. Larve fed freely in all 
stages and grew rapidly. In the last two stages, however, they were badly 
affected by disease. 
No field observations are available. 
SWEET PEPPERBUSH (Clethra alnifolia L.). 
Field records show very slight feeding by all stages of the larve that have 
dropped from the overhanging trees, but they soon moved to other food. 
In the trays no adults were obtained by starting any stage on this foliage 
until the fifth stage was reached, and then males were produced. It is a very 
unfavored food plant. 
SycAMoRE (Platanus occidentalis 1..). 
Very few field records have been obtained on this species, although the see- 
ond and third stages have been seen feeding very slightly on it. 
In the trays the foliage was apparently very distasteful to them, and there 
was but little feeding and growth. ‘Third-stage larve were reared to a few 
male moths. It is an unfavored species. 
TuLie TREE (Liriodendron tulipifera L.). 
> 
Each successive stage was tried in the trays containing this foliage, both at 
Worcester and Melrose Highlands, but none reached the adult stage until ex- 
periments were begun with fifth-stage caterpillars. Scarcely any feeding was 
observed after the bud scales and blossoms dropped. 
No field observations were made. 
Biack GuM (Nyssa sylvatica Marsh). 
In the trays adults were reared from second-stage larvze on this foliage, but 
all were males. In the first stage but very little feeding could be found on the 
leaves, and the larvee did not reach the second stage. 
In the field all stages were observed feeding upon the foliage, but no bad 
stripping was noted until the later stages. 
