476 
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 
[Vol. 11 
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PORTABLE INSECTARY 
By A. W. Young, U. S. Bureau of Entomology, Melrose Highlands, Mass. 
In the spring of 1914 the entomologist in charge of the gipsy moth 
investigations for the Bureau of Entomology decided on a line of inti¬ 
mate field study in infested woodland at Lunenburg, Mass. As much 
of the experimental work was to be done under full control, some 
means of shelter was indispensable. An outer fly of a small tent was 
used the first season, but owing to the abnormal fluctuations in tem¬ 
perature and hulnidity under this, it was replaced the following year 
by a larger tent and fly, having its walls and ends covered with mos¬ 
quito netting for the protection of the feeding trays, boxes and jars 
from outside interference. With slight modifications this tent served 
our purpose for three seasons, when it became necessary to renew many 
parts. The climatic data for previous years showed that we were 
carrying on delicate experimental work under conditions ten degrees 
above normal when the sun shone, so that the results were far from 
conclusive. It was determined to build an ideal shelter, as a result of 
four years practical experience. In order to fill our particular require¬ 
ments this Insectary was built on the following principles: It must be 
strong, simple and portable, of sectional construction, made of non¬ 
conducting material with a continuous ventilating space from the 
eaves to ridge between the outer and inner walls. 
This Insectary, 11 x 19 feet 7f inches, was set on 7 posts, had 1 
front sill, 1 back sill, 2 door studs, 1 door head, 12 rafters, ridge pole, 
6 rafter ties, 4 corner angle braces, 10 roof panels, 8 roof battens, 
saddle boards, 2 screens on each side set directly on the posts (without 
sills), 3 front screens and door and 2 back screens. 
Materials used—in linear feet—158 ft. of 2 x 4 in. spruce, 126 ft. 
of 2 x 3 in. spruce, 164 ft. of | x 3 in. pine, 400 ft. of f x 2 in. pine, 
20 ft. of J x 5 in. pine, 20 ft. of J x 6 in. pine, 41 ft. of f x 2\ in. pine 
batten, and 7 chestnut posts 3 ft. long and 6 in. in diameter. Bolts— 
26 2|-in., 10 3-in., 8 4-in., 33 6-in. Screws—14 2J-in., 50 f-in., one box 
of 1-in. brads, 8 lbs. of 2-in. wire nails with large heads, 90 ft. of 36-in. 
wire mosquito screening, 320 sq. ft. of heavy and 320 sq. ft. of medium 
weight wallboard; 4 gal. of white paint, 1 gal. of spar varnish, 2 spring 
hinges, and 1 door latch and lock. All lumber was planed on four sides 
for painting. All bolts were i-in. in diameter with two washers, one 
under the head and the other under the nut. 
Seven chestnut posts were set, the tops of those at the corners were 
sawed 3J in. square to allow for bolts each way, the two set at the cen¬ 
ter on the sides and the one under the door were sawed on one outer 
face only, all were cut 3J in. deep or the thickness of the sills, which 
