Daily Kennebec journal., 1908-08-27
Life History Of Hetero-
campa Guttivitta
As Given by Prof. {. F. Hitch.
ings, State Entomo|ogist.
Fall Demand For Travelling Libra.
rIes Becoming Manifest.
STATE HOUSE CALENDAR,
Next Meeting Of Governor and Council
Friday, August 28, at 10 A. NJ.

In the circular of information on for
est insects which has just been issued
from the bureau of entomology con-
nected WITH the department and deals
principally with the Prominent
caterpillar. Heterocampa guttivitta
which has been eating the foliage of
the hard wood trees in different sec
tions of tn" State, Prof, E. F. Hitch
ings. the State entomologist, has the
following concerning the life history OF
the pest:
1.-The adult is q moth which meas
ures about two inches across the ex-
tended wings. These moths emerge
from the pupae. that have remained
in the ground through the winter, in
July and soon after lay their eggs in
the leaves IT the food plant. In a snort
time these hatch into caterpil!ars
which prGcee to feed on the leaves
AT first they are so snail that the de-
structiOn is hardly noticeable but their
growth IS rapid. and as they are reach
inE maturity the amount of stripping:
done in few days is phenomenal The
adult caterpillar is about one inch and
d quarter in length. light green, with
prominent head bordered with dark
brown lines. There are usually three
light yellow lines along the back, wider
in the centre and converging toward
each end. ON many there is n brown
patch on the back. which varies in
shape with almost every individual.
When til" caterpillar has reached its
growth it goes into the ground to
change t. the pupa stage, remaining
81
1t appears again as a moth.
"Ihe question that has been asked
by hundreds is: What can he done to
save our trees"
"As has been stated. this is n phe-
nomenal outbreak of one Of our COM
mon insects. For the past few wears
many ot our insect pests have been
on the increase. this species among the
rest During the same period our birds
have been on IL" decrease, which ac-
counts in part for the abOVc-name,l
fact.
IN all cases in the past when a
Species has increased to such an cX-
tent as 1" become a menace its decline
is as rapid. and in a year or two it gen.
orally disappears as quickly as it
comes. This IS owing to the increase
ct It's enemies, especially the parasites
and fungpuS diseases.
We have nDtiCed that quite IL per
cent. of thc Cat6rpillars are being le-
stroyed ''v TaChinid flies. prrdarrnl!S
bugs and beetles and quite IL few Ich-
ntumon flies.
1T is Well understood that this has
been an unusually Favorable. season for
the development Of many forms Of in
sect life.
1T Is out of the question from an
economic STANDPOINT, to endcavnr to
combat TINS pest in the forest bat on
orchard and shade trees much can be
accomplished. Trees should he SPRAYED
about the middle of July and again
the following week. If Snch trees are
near the woodlot it would be well to
burlap them the same as for the gipsy
caterpillar. ''TanGle Foot could he
uSeG to advantage in conjunction With
the burlapS. to be applied Il short dis
tance below the same Tho great sec
ret in insect cOntrol is to more fully
protect our birds by nos keeping so
many eats and placing a bounty on
red squirrels.