Morning journal and courier., 1883-07-28
CaterpilIars, Trees and Birds

lLeGbef to New 4Ork EV6Q1ng POSI-
 Much of the alarm expressed in some of the papers in regard to the caterpillars which have appeared on the shady trees of the city is unwarranted by the facts. The immediate effects of their vistatons are undoubtedly very disagreeable. But no authentic case has yet been reported in which their evil works have caused the death of tree. The fear that this would result is natural one. No one who understands how indispensable are the leaves to the life of a tree can look upon one defolated in midsummer-as many are to-day-with any expectation of ever seeing the tree again clad in it's leafy glory. But in this case the season of the depreciation is so brief and early that nature has time to repair the damage before the advent of winter. The trees which are now so bare and leahess will in few weeks be covered with 8 second growth of foliage, nearly or quite as full as that which opened in the spring. The re- suits from the development of the supple msntary buds with which every tree iH pro- vided for just emergencies. In some cases this second estivation is accompanied by the opening of the flower buds, and the singular spectacle is presented of 8 horse-chestnut gay with bloom in the middle of September A case of this kind was noted in the Evening Post last autumn. The tree alluded to-a horse chestnut on University Place-was cov- cred with dense growth of fresh foliage the present season, though it is once more in tatters, from the renewed attacks of the cat erpillars. How long it will survive this doub- le,drain upon it's resources is a matter of some scientific interest.
 The little wretches have already accomp- lished their destructive mission for the pres ent year, passed into the pupa stage, and wrapped themselves in their white cocoons which may be seen adhering to trees walls and buildings. In few days they will emerge us perfect moths. The males are very active, each fulvous wing bearing 8 white spot, from which they derive their specific names; but the female is furnished with merely rudimentary ings. She rarely leaves the cottony mass of the cocoon, but lays her eggs upon it, covers thera with 8 glistening white coating, and dies. In the latitude of St. Louis second brood of larvae matches the same year from these eggs, but it has never been known to do so in the latitude as far north as New York.
 It is upon these egg masses that war can be the most successfully carried. All that are within reach should be pulled of and de- stroyed by burning or crushing under foot. Those higher up on the trunk or branches can be destroyed by means of a torch made by wiring rag on the end of pole, wetting it with kerosene and lighting it. The slight est scorching destroys the eggs without injur- ing the trees.
 rows or other birds to eat the hairy things. In fact, the bristly armor of the caterpillars was given them as 8 protection from the birds, or the entire race would have been ex terminated long ago. The most useful bird in keeping them down is 8 small, gray nut hatch, which in late autumn and winter eat the eggs. A single bird has been observed in western city to clear all the trees facing an entire block so effectually that they remained unmolested the following year. But these birds are by no means as plentiful as the eggs, and it seems likely that we shall have the caterpillars with us until the parasitic in- sects which prey upon them shall have mul tiplied sufficiently to keep them in check.