Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-02-16

the most destructive. Still another
parasite destroys both the gypsy and
brown tail and the technical name of
this one is the compsilure-conci
The life cycle of all three Of these Is
practically the same.
The spanteles late!color was first
obtained from the government labora-
tory at Melrose Highlands and come as
pupae. About 500 Of these are placed
IN perforated tin boxes and this box is
fastened to a tree infected with brown
tails. Tar or tanglefoot is placed
around the box to prevent ants and
other insects from entering the little
holes in the box and destroying the
pupae. In seven days the pupae hatch
and emerge as small flies.
Then begins the hunt for the brown
tail caterpillar and such female para
site deposit about 125 eggs in the bod
ies OF as many brown tail moth cater
pillars. The maggots resulting from
these eggs feed on the yitals of the
caterpillar until they enter the pupee
stage and again emerge as adult flies
and repeat the process. 1t is the flies
that sting the caterpillars and the life
OF these flies is about 80 days during
N1A@Si' lA3AIS Tic " Vi n VI OtDOSltlIlS eggs
under the skin Of the caterpillar goes
on. When this life work is finished the
fly dies and the work of regeneration
and resurrection goes on through eggs
resting in the bodies Of the caterpil-
lars which have been stung. This is the
life cycle of the brown tail moth par
asite.
The gypsy moth parasite is known as
the calcoma sycephanta and is beau
t'ful green and gold colored beetle
about an inch in length This beetle
is a powerful fellow and feeds through
the lavae and pupae stages Of the
gypsy moth, and its hunt for them is
unceasing. The parasite can travel
very fast When it finds a gypsy it
seizes il and rips open it's vitals in a
meciless manner, thus letting out the
viscera or liquids of the body upon
which il feeds. 1t is very predaceous
in its habits and when no gypsys are
TO be found, it will attack any insect
IN sight. One of these beetles in the
laboratory has a record Of killing l6s
gypsy caterpillars in a day. and on the
| average pair of beetles will destroy
5000 caterpillars in a season.
The gypsy parasite has a life cycle
which extends over two years, and like
the June bug lays its eggs in the
ground. 1t lives in the ground through
| the winter and the following spring
| emerges 10 begin its work of destruc-
| lion. 1t is a great traveller and
spreads out over a wide territory in
search of food.
We have increased the number of
towns colonized from 10 to Al and in
addition to the new towns added we
have strengthened the towns colonized
last year. No one need fear retarding
or interfering with these parasites by
general determination of their hosts in
orchards, as the sites selected for col
| onization of those parties have been
chosen in localities where the moth
colonies will afford abundant food for
their support until they become strong
and we'll established.
In addition to the work Of the gypsv
and brown tail moths, we have been
called upon several times to assist
| in the determination Of the elm leaf
beetle in the army worm. In each case
| men from the department have been
sent out to help in this work.