Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-10-22
DR., HENRY SKINNER
On FIahtlnq the Gypsy Moth

FNIIE danger of visitation Of both the gypsy
l. moth and the japanese beetle, now COM
mittng dcpredations in sections of Jersey, is
serious enough to warrant the carefui atten'
tion and consideration of Philadelphia. in
the opinion of DR.. Henry Skinner, in charge
of the chronological department AT the
Academy Of Natural Sciences.
The loss caused by both these insects to
the state of New Jersey alone has mounted
up in the millions. according to Dr. skinner.
and the government is now operating Dig
nation of the Japanese beetle, which is con-
fined to definite area in this section.
'At the present time" declares DIR. Skin
ner, 'the gypsy moth, or, to use lts scleh-
tifc name. Ocneria dispar, and the japanese
beetle Papilio japonica) constitute the two
most talked of mcnaccs in an chronological
line in this part of the country. Both nave
become alarmingy prevalent in the state OF
New Jersey. and both within comparatively
recent time.
Are Imported Pests
both insects originally were imported
from other lands-thc moth from Europe
during the last century, or before that, and
the beetle from Japan IN comparatively re-
cent years. The gypsy moth was probably
brought In on ornamental trees and shrubs
imported BY American millionaire land
owners. Just why the japanese beetle got
SO far East it is hard to say, but 1t mas
evidently been brought to this country on
an importation of shrubs or trees from the
Far East.
.'The moth, which has constituted
menace In New England for years, having
been especially bothersOme there in the early
nineties, confines its destructive feeding to
its caterpillar or larval period. 1t matches
from late in April to- the middle OF June;
depending on surrounding circumstances, and
it's length of life, az caterpillar, is about
ten weeks. 1t feeds on all kinds of trees
and shrubs, and during much longer period
than the cankcrworm or the tent caterpillar.
Also. it defolates a second time during one
season, which adds to it's deadliness.
Overlooked Until Too Late
"It Is often not noticed in the early sea
son. when it isSsmall in size and few in
numbers, but later, as the number of the
pests increases, together with its size, the
moth destroys foliage night by night until
suddenly all the remaining leaves are eaten
and the tree is stripped in single night.
When first hatched the caterpillar is less
than fifth of an inch in length. but it
grows rapidly up to the time that it passes
into the pupa or chrySalis stage and thence
into the actual moth stage
Among the means of fighting the gypsy
moth which have been more or less success
fully employed at various times are the fol-
lowing:
= ITO cut down all the afflicted trees and
burn all the surrounding underbrush and
rubbish. This should be done in the fall or
winter and should be followed by a process
of burning the ground with crude oil.
ITO treat the eggs, which are generally
about 500 to the specimen, with crcOsote or
petroleum some time early in the fall, then
leaving the moths in peace during the winter.
In the spring, band the trees with raupen-
leim, or some kindred substance, to prevent
the insect from again going into the branches.
Then, after they have Matched on the ground
burn the entire space over with cyclone
burner.
ITO spray the trees with arsenate of lead
combining with this banding Of the trunks
of the trees with burlap.
Each one of these methods Of rcpelling
the small invaders has succeeded. but it is
generally necessary to use a combination of
them to get satisfactory results. The trees
attacked by the gypsy moth appear to die
maker apparently attacks deciduouj and
conifcrous trees most impartially.
Skunks Prove Valuable Aids
animals often prove to be the best OF
means to fight this pest, Skunks devour
them, as do great many birds including
the crow the bluejay. the kingbird wood .
neckers, the catbird, thrushes, grackles and
robins English pheasants have been i'm =
ported as being n very destructive enemy
of the gypsy moth.
The japanese beetle, which attacks corn
and other vegetables In addition to trees OF
all kinds, is about half an inch long, green
| ish in color with the exception of the vel
| lowish brown wing covers. The back is
, hard, in common with other beetles. This
! insect is thick In the vicinity of Riverton,