Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-03-20

The Brown-Tail Moth.

| The brown-tail meth is a subject which
should interest every person, whether
| property-owner or not, and YET is some
thing which comparatively few people
know much about. am writing something
OF its appearance, habits, etc, which
trust you may find space to publish.
Everyone should know the nest OF this
pest when be sees It, and should educate
| himself to see II there is one u sight. II
| Ellsworth people would but take notice;
they can see plenty OF them In very
short walk, as very many apple trees hare
them this year, while but few had them
last year 1t Is safe TO say there are i've
times as many nests this year as last, and
you can readily see what few years at
this rate would mean.
have counted seven nests on q single
tree from Main street in this city, and
each nest is said to contain from one hum
drcd TO three hundred Of the small cater
pillars, so IL can be easily seen what this
means, IL the pest is allowed 20 go on un.
molested and multiply.
Each one OF these caterpiilsrs, when
kfQNh 10 u HaAgt ~
into a moth or miller, the females of
which, in turn, lay many eggs to be
Matched. As soon as the buds begin to
swell in the spring, these caierpillsrs
emerge from their nests, and begin at once
their work OF destruction, keeping the
leaves and blossoms eaten down q. fast as
they appear. This, continued for q few
years, causes the death of the tree itself.
Apple trees are taken frst-ihe thrifty
trees first; then other trees, then shade
trees, aud as last resort, even shrubs and
herbsge are eaten. havc.notieed them
this year on plum, tame and wild cherry,
wild pear and elm trees, as well AZ apple
trees. There are few nests on the elm
shade trees on Main street, and as the
nests are nearly always on the ends OF the
branches, they are very hard to get at ON
such large trees.
Itis no guess that they will kill the tree
in few years, IL allowed TO strip II OF its
foliage each succeeding year, as thou
sands of trees have been killed In Massa-
chnsetts in the past ten years, although
thousands OF dollars have been expended
in lighting them. The time to fight them
or any other pest, is when they are few.
Everyone should look after every tree ON
his premises, and keep watchtul eye by
the roadside, destroying every nest In
sight.
The apple and small fruit industry is
fast becoming one OF much Importance to
this State, and IL the orown-tail is al
lowed to go on without everyone doing
his part against it, apples will soon be
luxury that few can afford. IL is a serious
question, and affects the health of the
community as well as the fruit and shade
trees. II would be bad enough TO see our
fruit trees ana beautiful shade trees, and
perhaps our forest trees, leafiess and dead,
but far worse when some of our relatives
or friends die from poison from these eat
erpillars.
Too much interest cannot be aroused In
relation to this pest. Every newspaper
should continue to publish, something
about 1t, and keep it before the people;
every teacher in our public schools should
familisrize himself with the subject, give
frequent talks to the pupils, and exhibit
nests, so that the children may know
them, and acquire the habit OF destroying
them. Every town should offer small re-
ward for their destruction. In these ways.
and by beginning now, and enforcing the
State laws in this regard, the pest can be
greatly checked.
The nests are very noticeable in the
winter, consisting OF two or three leaves
pulled together, and held by a fine white
web, which extends down on the branch
two or three inches. This web makes the
nest appear quite light coIored. Inside of
this nest you will find many, perhaps two
or three hundred, very small caterpiilars.
alive and well, of a brownish color. which
begin 10 move around as soon as they are
warm.
The nests are usually near the end of the
branches, and il found to contain small.
live caterpiliars, you can not be mistaken
they are the orown-tail, as no other moth
matches in the late summer and lives over
through the winter. There is no danger
| In handling these nests; it is the fnlI-
grown caterpillar which you need to be
| careful about.
Later will write something of the his
tory and habits OF the brown-tail.
| LYSwooD r. Grr.rs.