Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-07-31
HAS DONE MUCH DAMAGE.
Forests in Southern Maine Attacked
by the Prominent Caterpillar

In consideration of the serious cater
pillar infestation of beech maple and
other trees in the southern part of the
State a statement of the situation is
made by the Maine Agricultural Ex-
pertinent Station for the benefit Of
people in the infested districts who are
at present much alarmed.
Although this species, one Of the
"Prominents," Heterocampa guttivitta
is present to a slight extent in most
parts of the State, North Freyburg.
Bridgton, Upper Gloucester. South
Leeds. Wayne and vicinity are in the
thickest of phenomenal attack. Fully
so acres, for example, is reported
stripped near Mattocks. these cater
pillars leaving the trees naked as in
winter.
H. guttivitta is a common caterpillar
and present usually in such small
| numbers that it passes unnoticed;
| birds, and insect parasites and other
natural enemies holding it in check.
| Last season and this, however, it has
gained extraordinary Roadway in for
est growth particularly in beech and
maple. Apple orchards also are suf-
of orchard and shade trees that the
| following suggestions are recommend
ed
These caterpillars are readily shak-
en- or Jared from the trees and this
| fact leads to the suggestion that by
| combination of Earring and banding
| much injury may be prevented, at
least in the apple orchard and on the
home grounds After the trees infest-
ed have been banded, boy with
| padded mallet may be sent into them
| to jar the limbs on which the cater
pillars are working. beginning at the
| top.
Protection by "banding'' has proven
very successful as a remedial measure
| with such caterpillars, as it prevents
| their reclimbing. The trunks of trees
are painted with a band Of "tangle
| foot" such as used against the gypsy
caterpillar Or a band of tarred pa
per may be placed about the trunk
and smeared with thick coating of
equal parts of lard and sulphur. This
| mixture should not be applied direct
ly to the bark of the tree as there Is
danger of injury. but with the tarred
paper it is safe and effectual. In
orchards which have been protected by
| arsenical sprays early in the season
these caterpillars have been poisoned
| while they were too small to do much
| damage.
As these caterpi!lars burrow an inch
or 50 in the ground to pupate and re-
main there all winter. thorough culti-
| walton or pasturing the orchard with
hogs this fall and next spring would
be very helpful against another sea-
sons attack. Where hogs can ne
| turned into wood lots this is desirable.
BURNING over waste strips which have
been infested this season would also
help.
This caterpillar grows to about IA
| inches in length; is green in color
with brown markings along the back.
The pupa which remains in the ground
| during the winter is a shiny brown
| object about one inch long, and the
mature insect which emerges in the
spring IS a notified gray moth expand
| ing q little less than two inches.
| 1t is not predicted that such seri-
| Gus attack will extend over many
years. as the natural enemies are like
" to get the upper hand again. Mean
while. however. much damage may be
done and where it is possible remedial
measures should be applied. These
| caterpillars fed until late in August
| last season so that n solid month OF
| their devastation is still to be ex-
pected before the last of them pupate.
| Bulletin No. 14S of the Maine Agri-
| cultural Experiment Station gives an
| account of the attack of last season
| and a circular of the Forest Tent Cat
| erpillar contains suggestions which
would be of service also for combat
| ting 1.-The Prominents." These are dis
tributed free of charge to any who ap-
ply to Maine Agricultural Experiment
| Station, Orono, Maine.