The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-06-23
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The whole trouble. which
caused years OF labor and the eXpendi-
ture OF hundreds Of thousands of dol
lars, arose from handful OF eggs
blown into some grass by an erring
pun OF wind.
Some thirty odd years ago, certain
French artist ana naturalist. Leopold
TrouVelot. lived in Medford. Mass. He
was studying the habits OF the native
birds and insects, and was carrying on
experiments with sllkworms. one day
he received by post cluster Of the
eggs Of the gypsy moth from friend
in Europe, which he placed on table
near an open window. 4 passing pun
of wind blew the eggs into the grass
outside.
Trouvelot did not miss chem, or re-
member them, until, a year later. he
discovered a number Of young gypsy
catcrpillars 49, hairy, gray creepers,
speckled with red and blue. He at
tempted 10 stamp the colony out OF
existence, but finding. the next season.
that they were more numerous, he
gave public warning OF what had hap
pened, and advised the community 70
be on the watch. His warning was
regarded rs the vaporing of a half
crazy collector of 0ugs.
Trouvelot left FOR Paris, and for some
time nothing more was thought of the
gypsy moth, though a few people no.
ticed that near the old Trouvelot home
caterpillars were plentiful. ana that
they did some damage TO foliage From
1869 10 1889 the parent colony was oX-
tending its territory, and wherever II
went trees were defollated. The dam
age was placed To any account but the
real one. generally 10 the charge OF the
well.known cankorworm, or 10 the tent
caterpillar.
AZ last, in 1850, season arrived
when the gypsy caterplllars and moths
had so greatly increased in numbers
that their food supply gave out
Armies appeared in districts where
they had never been known before. and
destroyed every green thing. Their
progress was checked on the south of
gan TO spread east. west ana north.
Passing from tree 10 tree the hungry
host swarmcd over all the country side.
In the June Of 1850 the plague had
settled so heavily on Nedford that the
whole town was black with caterpil-
lars. All the houses were covered with
them. People going into their houses
were obliged first 10 sweep their door
steps clear Brooms were commonly
left outside the street doors for the
use Of callers On the pavcments the
j.. ,cts were so numerous that the
pedestrians could slide on their crushed
bodies.
The caterpillars crowded one another
off the trees. ana gathered in armies
on the ground ana on tho fences. They
entered the windows Of houses, de-
stroying all Towering plants, and pene-
trated 10 every corner, 50 tfat the peo-
pie were afraid 10 go 10 bed. They
dropped in showers from the trees,
while the larvae, hanging from invisl-
bic threads, brushed tnc faces Of those
who passed beneath. In the heat Of
the still summer nights, n sickening
odor arose. II began TO look as though
the town must be abandoned.
Throughout the summer tho people
spent most Of their spare time I'm fight
ing the pest They attacked with FIRE,
water and oil, but with little avail.
Carloads Of bodies were removed. ana
millions Of caterpillars were killed I'm
the shell by destruction Of cgg-clusters,
each cluster containing some COO eggs.
But still the plague increased, and II
began 10 be regarded as OF fearful
portcnt 10 the entire nation.
Al last a specimen Of the pest was
sent 10 the state Board of Agriculture,
where il was quickly identified rs
wcll-known European scOurge. A com
mission was appointed, public interest
was aroused, ana an act apprOpriatng
some S25,OOO for the determination Of
the gypsy moth was passed. 4 large
staff Of men, gradually increased until
about 100 were employed, went about
the country, clearing away infested
woods and orchards, destroying eggs
and caterpillars.
And 50 began n war that was des-
tined 90 rage ficrccly for ten years, and
TO eclipse any other insect war Of the
kind ever known.
An inspection made by the State Off
GERS in 1890 showed that hfty square
miles Of country were infested. An
elaborate campaign was planned for
the next year; $4,000 were appro-
priated 20 the work: the country was
divided up into districts, aud inspectors
with gangs Of men were employed 20
fight the plague in each district. But
In spite Of all efforts the insects stead
ily increased, until they extended over
23O square miles Of territory.
At first an attempt was made 20 de-
stroy the caterpillars by spraying them
with arsenic, which Is fatal 90 the can
kerwOrm, the tcnt-catcrpillar and other
insects II was found that the gypsy
caterpillar rather enjoyed arsenic.
Method after method was tested 70
find O quick means Of extermlnnting
pupae, moths and eggs.
Great hopes were built on n moth |
trapping scheme. The female moths !
cannot fy. but the males are swift |
on the wing, and 50 was found that
females attracted the males
from distances Of fully half n mile. |
So the officers went about setting traps |
for the males, baite1 with females /
and some tens Of thousands were thus /