Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-08-06
Insect Pests Are Source
Of Much Worriment.
.Heierocampa and Web Worms
Rivals Of Gypsy Moths.
elpsy Moth Workers Will Hold
Field Day at Wells.
STATE HOUSE CALENDAR.
Next Meeting of Governor and Council
Tuesday, Aug. "a, at $50 A. M.


cerned over the situation in the State
as regards the ravages of the various
insect pests cannot be denied, and
they also willingly admit that condi-
tions are very serious. The increasing
numbers Of the gypsy moth and the
brown tail moth in the southern and
western sections of the State. in spite
of the large amount of work which is
being done in an effort to stop their
inroads, was sufficient cause for worry,
but it is now learned that in addition
to these pests two new ones are rails
ing havoc, they being the fall web
worm and the heterocampa guttivltta,
both Of which are reported to be very
numerous in various sections of the
ITHtate.
In speaking of the fall web worn:
aursday Prof. Z. F. Hitchings of Wa
Eerviile, the State entomologist con-
Enected with the department of agricul-
ture, stated that he had found it very
numerous this year and that its pres
ence seemed to be general throughout
the State. 1t is more prevalent than
usual and is feeding on all kinds of
foliage. 1t attacks all kinds of fruit
trees, also elm, maple, ash, gray and
white birch, red oak. poplar, the differ
ent varieties of cherry, willow, alder
and elder, and is doing great deal of
damage.
The damage which is being done by
the heterocampa guttivitta is even
greater and it's inroads are being fol-
lowed by the death of large numbers
of trees, especially the maple. 1t is
very prevalent in some sections of
Kennebec county, and upon visiting a
maple growth in Sidney where the pest
is working Prof Hitchings found q
few days ago that fully 10 per cent
Of the trees had been killed outright
and that so per cent. will die within
another year. Prof. Hitchings is of the
opinion that in many sections where
this pest is working the best thing to
do would be to put men into the wood
lots and cut the trees either for cord
wood or lumber. He also reports
quite percentage of trees dying from
fungus disease, but hopes that this year
will see the last of the principal feed
ing.
The situation concerning the gypsy
moth invasion is far from encouraging.
and if anything the pest seems to be
more than holding it's own in the State
in spite of the determined crusade
(which is being carried on against
1t. Capt f. f. Philbrook of Port
land. the departments field agent
in charge of the work. was at
the department Thursday. and ir
speaking of the matter said that the
conditions were serious throughout the
western part of the State.
in, hn 70
finding new infestations almost daily
in the town Of York and Wells, and
also in Berwick, and notwithstanding
this territory has been previously gone
over in the most thorough manner
possible the pests are still being found
in large numbers. A great many sin
gle caterpillars are being found on the
trees along the highways of the places
mentioned above, which indicates that
they are being brought over from the
New Hampshire side of the line in au-
tOmobiles
The territory infested is being worked
very carefully by the men employed
by the department and each and
every man is trying to do as much as
possibly can be done to head off the
inroads of the pests.
Concerning the gypsy moth infestation
at the National Home at Togus Capt
Philbrook states that it is now safe
to say that the infestation is practical
ly abolished and that unless some new
caterpillars are in some manner
brought into the reservation no fur
ther trouble need be feared. The stu-
alton in the western Part of the State
however. he states, is very serious,
and a great deal of hard work and the
expenditure of a large amount of mon
ey will be required in order to hold the
pest in check.