The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-08-24
THE BROWN TAIL MOTH.
A Dangerous Pest Imported From
 Europe Infests Several States.
(Exchange.)

Early in 1909 it was discovered that nests of the brown tail moth, filleo With hundreds of small hibernatine larvae, were being introduced into this country on imported European nursery stock-chief1y from Northern France and distributed into many states These brown tail moth nests were first reported in connection with a consign- ment of seedlings shipped from An gers, France, to New York. The nests were discovered by the New York State Inspector. and the information was communicated to the Bureau on Entomology by the Commissioner of Agriculture of that state
 Warning letters were promptly sent out by the chief of the Bureau of Entomology to the different entomoI- ogists, and special arrangements were made with the customs office. and by agreement with the railroads, so that bureau was to be informed of all cases of plants received at customs or sub- railroad companies. By this means the receipt and ultimate destination was ascertained of much of the irn- ported stock of that year.
 Information was secured concerning nearly 800 shipments, divided among 35 different states. In shipments to 15 of these states. nests of the brown
  Der from one nest to many nests in each shipment These brown tail nests-little webbed packets of leaves containing the very small hibernating larvae to the number of 300 Or 400 in each nest-were found on the seed ling and other nursery stock stock in enor- nous numbers, some 1000 nests (ap- proximately 2.SO0,000 larvae) being found in shipments to New York state alone
 All of this imported European stock was again followed up as far as pos sible in accordance with the arrange ment of the previous year with the customs officers and by agreement with the railroads and all reported shipments were inspected at their des- tination
 Of the shipments of 1910 not less than 2,917 different lots were found to be infested with nests of the brown tail moth.
 As a result of thorough investiga- tion of European conditions, much better effort during the last year has been made, notably in France and Bel gium, to improve the conditions of ex- port stock, and as result the impor- tations of the present season so far have shown a notable improvement i'll amount of infestation.
 In addition to the great monetary loss the brown-tail moth exercises a very deleterious effect on health. The hairs which cover the caterpillars of this moth are extremely nettling, and not only are they so from accidental contact with a caterpillar which may fall on clothes, neck, face or hands from an infested tree, but also from the myriads of hairs which are shed by these caterpillars when they trans form to the crhysalis state. The lat ter fall and find lodgment on clothing or collect on the face, neck or hands, and frequently cause very disagreeable and extensive nettling, the effects Of which may last for months. Breath ed into the lungs they may cause in fammatiOn and become productive of The brown-ta rash is we'll known throughout the regions in- fested in New England and thousands have suffered from it. The death of one man employed by the government on the work was due to poisoning contracted in field work against lar vac. This insect is, therefore, al mighty undesirable neighbor, even if l it were not responsible for great in- jury to orchards and ornamental trees |