New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-21
THE TUSSOCK MOTIFS NATURAL hNhhf'
LIVELY MOVEMENTS OF THE PARASITIC FIJI
WHICH DEPOSITS ITS EGGS IN THE
PtyPA OF THE MOTH

Professor Lewis Collins. the secretary OF tne
Tree Planting and Fountain Society is intensely
nleased at the discovery made last week. anu NJ
ready announced in The Tribune, OF an insect
whose purpose in life appears to be the destruction
n, tho tussoek moth the caterpillar Of which has
done so much damage TO the trees In tho streets OF
Brooklyn. When met on the street yesterday on
his way home to make preparations for an outing In
the Adrondacks with A. A. Low, the president OF
the Tree Planting Society, Mr.. Collins was carry
Ing two little boxes containing chrysalides OF the
tnssock moth on which the parasite had been at
work
"Can YOU catch a fash Of lightning he asked as
he nrepared TO open Of the boxes
ct bava never tried" was the answer Of the &C
ouaintance TO whom he about 10 show the new
discovery.
Mr. Collins's reference had been 10 the quickness
Of the movements Of the little wasplike creature
When the lid Of the box was opened. the wldth OF
crack II could be seen that there were TWO OF INC
flies inside eager to get out and begin business as
destrovers of the tussock moth After Keeping
them imprisoned for a minute or two and watching
their -tr,lggle to escape Mr. Collins lifted the lid
and they were off in instant. They had only
hatched out an hour or two before. and plainly
wished 10 lose as little time az possible
81 nIt these chrysalides Of the moth in which the
PARASITIC fly had deposited its eggs into the box this
Morning" said Professor Collins land took them
Il
onened the box 10 my surprise one OF the nies new
mn, and nerched on the window where all OF us had
q good opportunity 20 examine IT. Later found
that another had Matched and when ! opened the
box 10 show II to you knew that one other NAG
come ont AS II proved. there were two II Is good
news indeed for the people OF brooklyn mat a
creature has come among us that Is destructive 10
the moth that has done so much injury 10 our sieeS
where did you gather these chrysahdes' WAS
asked. =, ,,,., .o .oro. u
some OF them l got in st Marx Save, some IN
roraIsmon-st and others near my house IN Macon
st Then there are d good many on the trees IN
W. sbington park In fact, wherever nave looKeo
7 have found these flies the results or tneir "olh
- 7 hone and believe going by this means
to get rid of the pest that Is az WORK on our tree
re narasite Ny works the chrysas or the Inoth
u,hen the latter is wrapped If It's cocoon making
readv TO hatch out a caterpillar ana Degln ue-
vouring the foliage Of the trees. Inc ny thrusls
bis ovinositor right down through the cocoon ana
niaces its eggs in the chrysalis, which If thus DC
stroyed" 49, -. ~. hox sboued
several clusters Of the undeveoped nles among
H. cocoons and Il was evident that several more
,od hatch out and be ready for business IN niue
ttrne Those that made their escape "hen the ooA
Was first opened few away like a hash. IN appeal
-. ,bev suggested an ordinary wasp, but they
were about One-fourth the size 40 ..,..,o- ~
professor Collins saws that the oestrucuo. oI
these PARASITES should be avoided, ana when tney
are seen TO be az work in trees only the egg
~ the tussock moth should be removed ioi ,.e
raafar the number Of cocoons that the Mes nave 70
1.orL ON the larger the number or parasites tiat
IN no nroduced and the more destructive tHe"
work throughout the city will be-