Fig. 101.—The Tussock Moth. (After Dr. E. P. Felt.)
1. Caterpillar. 2. Male moth. 3. Female moth laying eggs. 4. Cocoons. 5. Cast skins of caterpillar. 6. Work of young caterpillar. 7. Male pupa. 8 and 9. Girdled branches.
The Gipsy Moth
Life history: This insect, imported from Europe to this country in 1868, has ever since proved a serious enemy of most shade, forest, and fruit trees in the New England States. It even feeds on evergreens, killing the trees by a single defoliation.
The insect appears in the caterpillar stage from April to July. It feeds at night and rests by day. The mature caterpillar, which is dark in color, may be recognized by rows of blue and red spots along its back. After July, egg masses are deposited by the female moths on the bark of trees, and on leaves, fences, and other neighboring objects. Here they remain over the winter until they hatch in the spring. The flat egg masses are round or oval in shape, and are yellowish-brown in color. See [Fig. 102].
Remedies: Spray for the caterpillars in June with arsenate of lead and apply creosote to the egg masses whenever found.
The Brown-Tail Moth
Life history: This insect was introduced here from Europe in 1890 and has since done serious damage to shade, forest, and fruit trees, and to shrubs in the New England States.
It appears in the caterpillar stage in the early spring and continues to feed on the leaves and buds until the last of June. Then the caterpillars pupate, the moths come out, and in July and August the egg clusters appear. These hatch into caterpillars which form nests for themselves by drawing the leaves together. Here they remain protected until the spring. See [Fig. 103].
Remedies: Collect the winter nests from October to April and burn them. Also spray the trees for caterpillars in early May and especially in August with arsenate of lead.