The Washington times., 1902-07-03
Destroying Trees and Fol-
iage Throughout tn.
Entire City,
EFFORTS TO CHECK THEM
Five Changes of Raiment During Brief
Existence, But Keep Up Their Work
of Destruction Through to the End
Travel From Tree to Tree.

With the passing of the seventeen
year-locust comes the inyincible cater
pillar. Several years ago Washington
was infested with these tiny insects to
such an extent that it was regarded in
the light of a plague. Everywhere one
turned there was caterpillar. and the
damage to trees, plants, and flowers
was almost inestimable-
The locusts. which have disappeared.
inflicted but temporary damage on the
larger trees. bUt t,.cir poisonous sting
destroyed many young trees which had
not grown sufficiently strong to with
stand the attaelk.
TE. caterpillars, however. are more
deadly, and IL they once gain headway
1t is almost impossible TO check their
work of destruction. The insect, which
is well known, especially to the people
of Washington. exists IN abundance
throughout the country. They can be-
traced all the way from Jacksonville.
Fla. to Nova Scotia, and in almost
every city between the two points they
are causing as much anxiety and con-
cern as they do in the Capital City
The persistence of the little insect Is
remarkable and almost praiseworthy. IL
begins the attack IN what might be
termed its infancy. and continues
through to its old age. Few species of
shade trees are free from its attacks.
and in Washington, naples. elms, birch
es. willows, and nearly every variety or
fruit trees appear to have special at
traction for them.
Destroying Trees and Foliage.
The caterpillar. with all its apparent
industry in destroying trees and foliage.
is a very busy body is social affairs in
insect life. for it is accredited with five
changes CT raiment during its brief
existence Each shedding reveals diff
ferent character The baby caterpillar
is as much at home on a tree or leaf as
its respected elders, although it is not
permitted to indulge in the same kind Of
food as the latter. The young eat the
under surface of the leaf. producing
sort CT skeleton appearance. After the
next shedding the caterpillar 5ores few
holes through the leaf. and after each
succeeding mott another part Is eaten
until the leaf is entirely destroyed
1t takes but comparatively short
time for an army of caterpiliars to de-
stroy a gcod-sized and healthy tree.
In 1888. when a particularly disastrous
season occurred, it was not an unccHl-
mon sight to see the sidewalks com
pletely covered with leaves at time
when a fall was out of season. This was
due to the work of caterpillars. which
had gained such headway that nothing
would suffice to save trees. shrubs, and
plants which were in the least way ac-
cessible to them.
Quite a Traveller.
The caterpillar is an indefatigabie
traveller. and frequently crawls from the
tree en- which it is Matched all the way
down and UP another tree. there TO
bring about more destruction. They
frequently migrate in large numbers, and
If has somewhat the appearance Of q
miniature army slowly but surely wend-
ing its way to new scenes and greater
victories.
Every year strenuous efforts are put
forth TO check the damage done to the
city's trees by caterpillars, and now that
they have again made their appearances
the residents of Washington may expect
to see tree trunks wrapped In rolls OF
raw cotton. for, despite the extensive
research made for remedy for the evli'
this has proved the most effectuai pre-
ventive for it is impossible for the
caterpillars to get a foothold on the cot
ton. and so they are without means OF
climbing the tree.