Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-01-09
The Browu-Tail Moth In Maine.

ocrst. Parts, Ne.
The Brown-Tail Moth In Maine.
(Maine Department Bulletin.)
One of the serious problems with
which the farmer has to contend is the
control of the various insect pests which
attack his orchard, field and garden
crops. The plan of the wise Creator
seems to be that one insect shall exist
for the purpose of destroying another.
Through this design manifest in nature,
the preying of one form of life upon
another,-the balance is kept up. Ii it
were not for this law, as the reproduc-
ton of insect species goes on with such
rapidity, man could not inhabit the
earth. But through the influence of
man or changes in environment it some
times happens that natural checks are
not sufficient to prevent certain insects
from becoming a serious menace to hu-
man welfare and prosperity. Insects of
European origin sometimes seem to be-
come more injurious when introduced
into this country than in their native
home. The gypsy and brown-tail moths
since their introduction into this country
have increased to an alarming extent,
and prove much more serious inflictiOn
than in their native home. In view of
this fact, the government in its wisdom
sent DR.. l.. o. Howard across the water
to make investigation in relation to the
feasibility of importing parasites which
would prey upon these pests, and assist
in keeping them under control, and ex-
periments in these lines are now being
carried on.
While it is hoped that insects will be
imported which will lessen the numbers
of these foes Of the farmer, still there is
personal work for every individual who
owns fruit or shade tree. To him it
becomes a personal as well as public
duty to do all in his power to destroy
the insects which are devastating his
trees. We need more information in
relation to the best methods of control
ling these pests. Many insects which
were at one time very injurious to the
farmer, on account of his increased
knowledge of methods of combating
them are now under such control that
they are not greatly to be feared. For
an illustration, take the Colorado Potato
Beetle. Before man had discovered
method of handling it, it was very
dangerous and destructive, but now we
have acquired so much knowledge in re-
lation to it's growth and development,
and in relation to spraying and the use
of insecticides, that we can plant large
crops and be practically sure that We
shall be able to protect them from this
pest.
In this matter as in all others, what
we want is "more light" The last
words of one of the greatest men which
this country ever produced were more
light"
The most recent and dangerous pest
which has invaded our state, for which
we should be on the watch and in rela-
ton to which we should seek to gain all
the information possible, is the Brown
tail moth. The presence of these moths
in the state was first brought to our at
tention in the spring of 1904, since
which time some more than 800 has
been expended in fighting this and other
insect pests.
OUR PRESENT SITUATION IN MAINE.
(From report Of T. +. Hitchings. State Ento-
mologist)
The territory infested by the brown
tail moth last spring was found to cover
four thousand square miles. When We
the orchard and forest interests
of Maine we can realize to some extent
the great Importance of an active edu-
cational campaign along the lines OF
economic entomology. 1t is rather early
vet TO predict what the actual situation
is as regards the brown-tail moth in
va>ion in our state. As result of the
systematic work done last spring hun
dreds of thousands of nests were taken
and destroyed. This infested district
extended from Kittery on the southwest
to Bar Harbor on the northeast, and so
effectively was this work done that no
serious complaint has come to the notice
of the department from any source.
This speaks volumes for the enterprise
and public spirited enthusiasm Of the
several cities and towns along the bor-
der line. Thousands of dollars were
spent and time and energy freely given
in the good cause. While inspecting
the nursery at Bar HarbOr in August l
discovered several clusters of eggs OF
the brown-tail moth and later in the
summer and early fall l received mum
Der of nests from there, but the authOri-
ties are wide-awake to the situation and
will do all in their power to rid the
island of the pests during the coming
winter. In Portland where large num-
Der of nests were taken, the situation
is very encouraging. OF course We
should expect that many nests would be
found there as result of the moths
coming direct from Boston by steamer
and rail as heretofore. In Kittery the
situation is quite serious, as New Hamp-
shire did practically nothing last year
and the state was badly infested, so that
we anticipated that this condition would
prevail. Last July, during the flight of
the moth, was in Kittery to investigate
the situation and found that they were
coming by the thousands. The moth is
night flyer and strongly attracted by
light. They were reported on the navy
yard buildings in great numbers and
were killed by the thousands by the
wOrkmen employed on the yard. On
investigating last week found the trees
in many localities as badly infested as
they were IN tne sprung, out tdkinS tuo
territory as a whole have every reason
to believe that the worst is over, PRO-
yIDED THAT DILIGENT WATCH IS
KEPT UP AND A vIGILANT CAMPAIGN
CONTINUED EACH YEAR. 1t is earnest
ly desired that all possible information
of any insect invasion may be sent In to
the department as soon as discovered.
We can then be in position to success
fully cope with all of our insect foes
before they gain strong foothold in the
state. This is the only way In which
we may hope to check the gypsy moth
and San Jose scale.
LIFE HISTORY OF THE BRowN-TAIL MOTH.
IEuproctis chrysorrhos.]
The data given were taken from speci-
mems raised in our breeding cages at the
office, so that the dates will not corre-
spond with those taken from field obser-
vation. Allowances must be made Tor
quite difference in climatic conditions.
The eggs are laid usually on the under
side of the leaf. These are cream white
in color, almost spherical in outline,
n Al nf On