370 
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 
[Vol. 13 
source in the West and which was used extensively on the lawns of 
these estates may have been the means of introducing the insect. 
It is more probable, however, that the destructive infestation was 
due to the insect hibernating in large numbers during the winter of 
1918-19 which was very mild in this section, whereas in the normal 
more severe winter very few survive. 
On January 7, 1920, the lawn of the Frick estate had been burned 
and plowed and put in condition for spring planting, all leaves and 
debris about shrubs and in the wooded areas had been collected and 
burned and replaced by uninfested material. The adults were, how¬ 
ever, hibernating in considerable numbers in the roots of certain clump 
grasses, but it is doubtful if these will give sufficient protection for the 
insect to survive in numbers great enough to become injurious next 
season. 
Scientific Notes 
Hessian Fly and History. The Billop house at Tottenville, Staten Island, one 
time the headquarters of General Howe, who gained an undesirable notoriety as 
commander of the Hessians, is being fitted up with machinery for the manufacture 
of insecticides, we are informed by Mr. M. T. Smulyan. The Hessians are supposed 
to have been the unintentional introducers of the Hessian fly and it is certainly a most 
interesting coincidence that the headquarters of their commander should at this late 
date be transformed into an insecticide plant. 
New Gipsy Moth Colonies. Two new gipsy moth colonies outside the known 
infested area, were reported during the month of July, one at Somerville, N. J., by 
Mr. Harry B. Weiss, State Inspector, and the other at Brooklyn, N. Y., by Mr. 
George G. Atwood, of the Department of Farms and Markets, Albany, N. Y. 
The caterpillars were nearly full grown at the time the reports were received by 
the Bureau of Entomology, but scouts have been detailed to examine the territory 
to determine the extent of the infestation, after which control measures will be put 
in force. A. F. B. 
A European Pest Found in Massachusetts. The Satin Moth (Stilpnotia salicis 
Linn.), has recently been found in Medford, Mass. This insect is closely related to 
the gipsy moth and the brown-tail moth. The larvae feed on poplar, willow and other 
trees. In the area where the worst infestation was found, some poplar trees were de¬ 
foliated and others were partially stripped. The insect was not discovered until the 
larvae were nearly full grown, and it was too late to spray effectively. Large numbers 
of the caterpillars and pupae have been crushed and egg clusters treated with creosote, 
so that the infestation at this point has been materially reduced. 
The work has been carried on in the area controlled by the Metropolitan Park under 
the direction of Mr. A. N. Habberley, Superintendent of the Middlesex Fells Reserva¬ 
tion, and adjoining property has been treated by agents of the Massachusetts State 
Forester. Assistants of the Bureau of Entomology have conducted scouting work in 
the vicinity and in the adjoining towns, and at present infestations have been found 
in twenty-seven towns. Observations on the life-history, habits, and information 
concerning control, is being secured by assistants at the Gipsy Moth Laboratory, 
Melrose Highlands, Mass. • A. F. B. 
