The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-10-15
DESTROY EGG OF IUSSOCK
moth after Leaves fall
Caterpillar With Distinctive Long
Black TUFTS Of Hair Damages
Shade Trees in City of Washington
But May Be Controlled

Washington, D. c., Oct. 15.-The
caterpillar of the tussock moth, which
is noticeable because of three long
black tufts of hair protruding from its
yellow body has done considerable dam
age to many shade trees in the city of
Washington during the summer and
fall This insect. which extends through
the eastern United States, as far west
as Iowa, seems to prefer poplars,
naples, elms, alders, birehes and viii
lows. Besides injuring trees. its harhed
hairs occasionally produce considerable
irritation on the skin of people upon
whom the eaterpillars drop. To control
the ravages of this pest the coming
season, the conspicuous white'egg'
masses laid by the moth, should be
DESTROYED after the leaves have fal-
len, when they may be very easily no
ticei.
The United States department of
agriculture entomologist considers
the above method preferable TO that of
banding the trees after the egg masses
have already been laid. During the
past season a number of trees in the
city of Washington have been banded
70 prevent the moths from climbing
up their trunks when there were al.
ready egg masses above the bands
which hatched ont eaterpilarS. These
eaterpillars were prevented from com
ing out of the trees as much as others
were prevented from coming into them.
OF course, if the owner of a tree is
sure that il absolutely free from egg
masses (Which are always conspicuous
and usually are found low down on the
trunk he may use band to advan-
tage 10 keep out intruders. For this
purpose insect lime, of which there are
several brands on the market, is the
best substance and ring made around
the tree viii give service for several
weeks in warm weather without being
renewed.
Creosote Oil For Egg Masses
As soon as the leaves have fallen,
egg masses should be scraped from the
trees and then destroyed by burning,
The work must be absolutely thorough,
and not an egg mass overlooked. A
better way, however, is to use appliea-
tions OF ereosote oil on the eggs. This
is similar 70 the liquid that is used
against the gypsy moth in MasSaehus-
SettS. About so per cent. of turpen-
tine is added TO it to keep il LIQUID
in cold weather. The workman is fur.
nished with pole. 10 the end of which
small sponge is tied He goes from
tree 70 tree, dipping the sponge ocea-
Slonallv into the creoSote preparation
and touching with it each egg mass
found. This is a simple and verv rapid
method. As with the other method,
the work must De absolutely thorough
There are two and probably three
annual generations of the tussotk moth
in the city Of Washington. In New
York City and Boston there are two
generations. \ second generation will
be more destructive than the first. The
comparative harmlessness of this
species as it goes farther north is
probably due 10 the uondevelopment of
the second generation.
In 1895. when the city Of Washing
ton was visited by an unusual number
of these Insects, one OF the later gen.
erStlonS of eaterpillars which hatche6
about August ,, commenced 70 spin
ABOUT September 5. During the latter
part OF September most of the moths
made their appearance and the con
SpicuouS whlte-egg masses were very
abundant on the trees by the first of
October, Caterpinars Matching after
the first Of October are unlikely to de-
velop into moths.
The year after the pest in 1895
there were very few tuSsock caterpil-
lars IN the city of Washington. The
pest was not nearly so abundant this
year as IN 1895, and there is no rea.
son 70 believe that there will be any
fewer next year than there have been
this year unless there is a general
campaign against the egg masses after
the leaves have fallen.