first making sure that none are present. There should be a provi in the law that notice must be given to the Commissioner of the gy moth work, and permission for the removal of material in gypsy m districts be obtained before such material is carried away. It is essential that all public-spirited citizens should be on the lookout the careless or intentional violation of such laws in order that inf mation may be given the Commissioner in charge before the sprea ing is accomplished. PROSPECT FOR CONTROL OF THE GYPSY MOTH BY PARASIT ENEMIES AND FUNGOUS DISEASES. During the first campaign in Massachusetts against the gyps moth, from 1889 or 1900, the appropriations were made with the ide of exterminating the insect, and for this reason but little atten tion was given to parasitic enemies, aside from studying such of our native parasites as seemed to be developing the habit of affecting the gypsy moth. In this study it was learned that a great many of our native hymenopterous and dipterous parasites, as well as predaceous insects of various kinds, were useful in reducing the numbers of the moth to some extent. It is evident, however, from the history of the insect in this country and from the fact that it is now thirty-six years since it was introduced, that the combined forces of all the insect, bird, and other enemies which the gypsy moth may have are insufficient to keep the insect within bounds. The history of the insect in Europe, while it shows that it is very destructive over certain sections at intervals, also shows that its invasions are very similar to those of our tussock moth, army worm, and tent caterpillar in this country; namely, that it will increase for a period of a year or two, and then its parasitic enemies, finding plenty of food, will have increased in a large degree and will cause the destruction of nearly all the moths. This balance of an insect and its foes was destroyed for the gypsy moth when it was introduced in this country, and it has been having things very much its own way because its enemies were left behind. Recent appropriations in Massachusetts and also an appropriation by the Department of Agriculture at Washington have been made with a view of introducing to this country some of the insects which prey on the gypsy moth in Europe. A fund, extending over three years and amounting to something over $30,000, is made available by these combined appropriations. Superintendent Kirkland of the Massachusetts work has placed the bulk of his appropriations in the hands of Dr. L. O. Howard of the National Department of Agriculture, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions for which this appropriation was made. Dr. Howard is one of the foremost authorities on parasitic enemies of insects and has a wide acquaintance with entomologists of Europe, so that the work has been placed in excellent hands. Through a visit which he made to Europe last year, and through the plans which he then set in motion, shipments of parasitized gypsy and brown-tail moths are continually being made when ever material is found. In this effort to introduce parasites almost the entire country of Europe is being scoured to secure them. A Tachina fly, "Tachina larvarum, which is known to be very destructive to the caterpillar of the gypsy moth in Europe, has been introduced, and next year an attempt will be made to propagate it extensively. Attempts have also been made to introduce a predaceous beetle, Calosoma sycophanta, related to our predaceous beetles of the same genus in this country, but, unlike them, more efficient in destroying caterpillars which infest trees. So far living specimens of this beetle have not survived the passage of the Atlantic but it is hoped another year that specimens will be successfully imported. Dr. Howard has made arrangements with a great many entomologists and collectors throughout Italy, Austria, Germany, and France to be on the lookout for material which may be of use to us, and to send it on to Superintendent Kirkland at Boston. In all this work great care is being taken not to introduce secondary parasites; that is, parasites which feed on the primary parasites in which we are interested. An insectary and laboratory has been established in one of the infested regions near Boston, and here the work of rearing and studying the parasites will be carried on. It is the intention of the Massachusetts authorities to send out broadcast to all the infested regions such parasites as may be found efficient, and the people of Rhode Island may hope, therefore, that, should anything be discovered, the benefit thereof will accrue to the interest of our citizens as well as to those of neighboring States. However, as anyone will note by reading the letters of Superintendent Kirkland, Dr. L. O. Howard, and others, which are copied in whole or in part on pages 64 to 73, the problem of securing efficient parasites is still unsolved, and it is not wise for the people of this State to wait until such a time as it may be determined whether insect parasites can be introduced or not, because the cost of taking up the work of suppression at such a time will be far larger than will be the cost of keeping it in suppression, or even exterminating it, at the present time. IMPORTANCE OF THE GYPSY MOTH AS COMPARED WITH OTHER INSECT PESTS COMMON IN THE STATE. It has seemed to a number of people during the past year or two, and it is often expressed, that the gypsy moth has not been unduly destructive, and many feel that the elm-leaf beetle, the scale, the tussock-moth, the elm-caterpillar, etc., are much more serious pests at present than the gypsy moth. This latter statement was undoubtedly true for this season. The elm-leaf beetle especially, in many parts of Providence as well as other cities in the State, was very destructive during the past summer, defoliating trees in many cases. The egg clusters of the tussock moth have also been very numerous, and as they are likely to be even more readily seen than those of the gypsy moth, people are led to think that this insect is much more numerous than the pest against which the State Commissioner has been working. These conditions, however, should not mislead anyone. The abovementioned insects are natives of this country, or, with the exception of the San José scale, they have been here long enough to have a num Using a medium long-handled brush for creosoting egg clusters on trees some distance from the ground. |