THE TUSSOCK MOTH

Life history: This insect appears in the form of a red-headed,
yellow-colored caterpillar during the latter part of May, and in
June and July. The caterpillars surround themselves with silken
cocoons and change into pupae. The mature moths emerge from the
cocoons after a period of about two weeks, and the females, which
are wingless, soon deposit their eggs on the bark of trees, on
twigs, fences, and other neighboring objects. These eggs form white
clusters of nearly 350 individual eggs each, and are very
conspicuous all winter, see Fig. 101.

Remedies: There are two ways of combating this insect: (1) By spraying
with arsenate of lead for the caterpillars during the latter part of
May and early June. (2) By removing and destroying the egg masses in
the fall or winter.

[Illustration: FIG. 101.--The Tussock Moth. (After Dr. E.P. Felt.)

1. Caterpillar. 2. Male moth. 3. Female moth laying eggs. 4 Cocoons. 5.
Cast skins of caterpillar. 6. Work of young caterpillar. 7. Male pupa. 8
and 9. Girdled branches.]


THE GIPSY MOTH

Life history: This insect, imported from Europe to this country in 1868,
has ever since proved a serious enemy of most shade, forest, and
fruit trees in the New England States. It even feeds on