Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 195, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 August 1910 — MOTH PERILS TREES [ARTICLE]

MOTH PERILS TREES

Army of Caterpillars Charge Upon Lawns and Public Parks. y—.. ■ Spraying, Individual Destruction and Autumnal Precautions Are Recommended by Chicago City Forester —lnvasion Last Year. Chicago.— An invading army of tussock moths has descended ppon the trees of Chicago and its suburbs. Unless strenuous methods are adopted to check the advance of the devastating horde the lindens, poplars and willows of parks, driveways and private lawns are in danger of being dismantled of foliage and ultimately destroyed. These are not the only members o’ the tree family that the tussock moth has chosen for its field of operations. The horse chestnut, the dogwood and a score of other shade producers and ornamental shrubs that are the pride of good citizens also are under attack. Park* commissioners have declared war upon the gorgeous caterpillar, which is the larva of the tussock moth. City Forester J. H. Prost has issued a bulletin of warning and advice. Tree owners in many parts of the city have appealed to the forester for aid and complain that the tussock caterpillar—which represents the ravaging stage of the moth’s development—is running over everything outdoors and even invading homes. It may prove of small consolation to know that the caterpillar of the tussock moth is one of the most beautiful that science is familiar with. It has a bright red head; a velvety black back, bordered with rich yellow stripes; four tufts of yellow hair standing upright a little back of the head; a pair of long black plumes/ suggestive of horns, extending forward from the head, and a single plume for a tail. They live upon the green matter of leaves and, being gifted with abnormal appetites, it does not take very long for a goodly company of the Invaders to defoliage a tree. They are practically -new comers to Chicago, though last year they became a source of danger to the trees of certain sections. This year, however, they suddenly have become the cause of dismay on the South, West and North sides, while particular complaints have been heard from the West side. There are just three things to do, according to the city forester: Spray the foliage with arsenate of lead. Destroy caterpillars by “squashing” Lhem. Gather cocoons and egg masses in fall and burn them.