The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-12-18
GYPSY MOTHS
ARE SPREADING
State Official Reports Them
on Entire East Side
of State
EFFORTS
.. NOW NECESSARY
State and Federal Authorities Must
Work Together if Pest Is to BE Sup
pressed-Might Easily Kill States
Apple Trees if Left Unchecked.

Apple Trees if Left Unchecked.
MONTPELIER, Vt, Dec. 1S.-Harold
L. Bailey, in charge of insect suppression
under Commissioner Of Agriculture +. s.
Brigham, issues the following information
relative to the gypsy moth situation in
Vermont
Inspections thus far made by the agents
of the state and federal departments of
agriculture show that the insect has in
tested, scatteringly but dangerously, the
whole eastern border of the state from
Guildhall to Massachusetts and as far
west as the fourth tier of towns.
Hitherto most of the gypsy moths found
in the state were scattered about singly,
indicating that they had been brought in
during the previous summer by birds.
Widespread or otherwise. This year egg
masses frequently are found in groups or
colonies, demonstrating that the insects
have begun to breed here and that they
survived the severe cold of last winter.
This marks the farthest advance of their
spread which began in Medford, Mass, 30
years ago. The situation now calls for the
combined efforts Of the federal and state
dILlDIllttS 10 so lar EtAtlltt the lIItNta-
ton here that the Green Mountain range
may be a permanent barrier against its
further progress westward, and hat the
orchards and forests may be protected
from serious damage where the pest has
made its appearance.
1t is hoped that the insect parasites
which have been imported and are being
distributed will serve, together with the
efforts of individual tree owners, to con
Fpal fLg rv-r,-v- rDltI LTn,, hau-,,~ H..
latter started in the country many years
ahead of its natural enemies something
must be done to check its increase in or
der to allow the parasites to catch up.
The gypsy moth caterpillar feeds on
nearly all kinds of trees and is especially
attracted to apple and oak. The winter
of 1917-1S killed probably 80 per cent of
the apple trees east of the mountains.
U~nprepared as the great majority of own
ers are in the matter of spraying, the
moths could very quickly destroy the re
mainder if left unchecked. 1t would as
sist greatly in the eventual control of this
as well as numerous other pests if tree
owners would more generally prune and
spray their trees.
The control work at present consists of
inspecting, by crews of state or federal
men, the trunks and lower branches of the
trees where the egg masses Of the gypsy
moth are to be found throughout the fan.
winter and spring. All trees except those
of forest areas are inspected. Careful in
veatigatiOn has proven that the moth
seldom inhabits the forest until it has be
come thoroughly established in surround
ing orchards and scattering trees. This.
presumably, is due to the fact that such
birds as may spread the eggs in winter
seldom frequent the deep woods, nor would
any Of t." moths which may be brought
in on automobiles. trains or teams find
their way at first into the wooded growth.
The masses are yPllOWiSh brown in color
and consist of from 400 t. 500 tiny eggs
plasterPd onto the bark with a sort of vel
lowish fuzz which completely covers them.
Occasionally they may be located on
stones, boards or any object close to the
trees. When found these masses are
soaked with c~rcosote which prevents them
from Matching.
Immediate report of the finding of such
masses should be made to the commission
er of agriculture.