408 ReEporRT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY OF THE 
operations are now annually carried on for the protection of 
the trees. 
DISTRIBUTION OF MOTH AND FOOD PLANTS. 
The tussock moth is known to occur from Nova Scotia to 
Florida and as far west as the states of the Mississippi Valley. 
It feeds to a greater or less extent upon nearly every fruit 
and shade tree. In the outbreak of the past season, both the 
fruit and foliage of apples and pears were eaten and also the 
foliage of plums. Other fruits liable to attack are cherry, 
quince, apricot and choke cherry. The various shade trees? 
that the caterpillars are known to feed upon are horse chest- 
nut, elm, maple, linden, box elder, locust, ash, sycamore, 
butternut, black walnut, hickory, oak, birch, elder, willow, 
poplar, spruce, fir, larch and cypress. 
BIOLOGY OF TUSSOCK MOTH. 
LIFE STAGES. 
Egg— The eggs are deposited on the empty cocoon in 
masses of from 100 to 500, and are held together and protected 
by a white foam-like substance, which renders the egg mass 
conspicuous in its resting place upon the trunk and branches 
of the tree. The individual egg is round, about the size of a 
mustard seed, and has a strong, thick, cream-colored shell. 
Mature caterpillar.°— The head and two small tubercles on 
che back are bright red. There are three long black pencils 
®*Memoir N. Y. State Museum. 8, I: 136. 
* The caterpillar of this species has four stages in the male and five 
stages in the female. These may be recognized by the following brief de- 
scriptions taken from C. V. Riley’s account in his first report on the 
Insects of Missouri, pp. 144-147. 1869. 
First stage. Newly hatched. Length one-tenth inch, color dull whitish 
gray, tufts on back dark brown. 
Second stage. Age of caterpillar seven days. Length one sixth inch, 
color more pronounced. Two tufts near head, longer. 
Third stage. Age thirteen days. Length three-tenths inch. Color of 
head and neck shield, orange, tubercles on back scarlet orange, four tufts 
on back whitish. About five days after molt, colors of adult are assumed. 
Fourth stage. Age nineteen days. Length three-fourths inch. Colors 
and hairs same as adult. Male larve spin cocoons. 
Fifth stage. Age twenty-five days. Length, one and one-half inches. 
Colors unchanged. Hairs more prominent. Caterpillars mature to females. 
