194 
PARASITES OF GIPSY AND BROWN-TAIL MOTHS. 
gipsy moth is proved to be identical with that which goes under the 
same name and attacks one or another of such a variety of hosts, no 
expense ought to be spared in attempting its introduction; always 
provided, of course, that the attempts already made prove not to be 
successful. 
The story of these attempts, as told in the popular bulletin by the 
junior author, issued from the Massachusetts State forester's office 
in the spring of 1910, may well be quoted here, since there is little 
to be added to it. 
Although this was almost the first parasite of the gipsy moth which attracted any 
attention in Massachusetts, and the first which it was attempted to import after the 
beginning of active work, it was one of the last to 
be liberated under satisfactory conditions, and 
its establishment in America is not yet certain. 
Extraordinary methods were necessary to bring 
it to America living and healthy, and it was not 
until Prof. Trevor Kincaid, who was selected by 
Dr. Howard as the best available man for the 
purpose, visited Japan and personally superin- 
tended the collection and shipment of the co- 
coons, that success was achieved. The story of 
Prof. Kincaid's experiences and of the difficulties 
which he met and overcame is interesting. He 
was accorded great and material assistance by 
the Japanese entomologists, and the work inaugu- 
rated by him in 1908 was continued with even 
greater success in 1909. 
The adult parasite [fig. 31] deposits a number 
of eggs beneath the skin of the active caterpillars, 
and any stage, from the first to and possibly in- 
cluding the last, may be attacked. The larvae, 
hatching from the eggs, become full grown in 
from two to three weeks, and then work their 
way out through the skin of the still living cat- 
erpillar [fig. 32], within the body of which they 
fed. Each spins for itself immediately afterward, 
for its better protection during its later stage?, 
a small white cocoon. The number of parasites nourished by a single host varies in 
accordance with its size. There may be as few as 2 or 3 in very small caterpillars, 
or 100 or more in those which are nearly full grown. 
The unfortunate victim of attack does not, as a rule, die immediately after the 
emergence of the parasite larvae and the spinning of their cocoons, but it never volun- 
tarily moves from the spot. Its appearance, both before and after death, surrounded 
by and seeming to brood over the cocoons, is peculiar and characteristic, and once 
seen can never be mistaken [fig. 33]. 
There is ample opportunity for two generations of the parasite annually upon the 
caterpillars of one generation of the gipsy moth. This is the rule in the countries to 
which it is native, and is to be expected in America. 
The parasite was described from Europe more than seventy-five years ago, and has 
been known to be a parasite of the gipsy moth lor a long time. Later it was described 
under a different name from Japan, and the Japanese parasite was for a time consid- 
Fig. 32.— Apanteles fuh ipes: Larva) eav 
ing gipsy-moth caterpillar. Enlarged 
(Original.) 
