ODA Announces 2017 Gypsy Moth Treatment Project Open Houses

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The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has announced the 2017 Gypsy Moth Treatment Project Open Houses that will be held this winter prior to treatment applications that will be made later in the spring and summer. 

 

 

The gypsy moth is currently in the egg mass stage where it has been since late last summer.  This spring, caterpillars will hatch and the feeding frenzy will begin. 

Gypsy Moth Egg Mass
Gypsy Moth Egg Masses

 

Treatment applications are directed at the caterpillar stage and are made as a way to manage this invasive species by slowing its spread as part of a larger multi-state regional program in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service.  A goal is to reduce gypsy moth populations and the potential damage to host trees as shown below.

 

Feeding Damage by Gypsy Moth Caterpillars
This photo was taken in late June in NW Ohio.  The canopy of many of trees in this area were completely defoliated by gypsy moth caterpillars. 

 

Aerial treatments are scheduled to be applied in the following Ohio counties in 2017:  Allen; Athens; Fairfield; Franklin; Hancock; Hardin; Jackson; Licking; Lucas; Marion; Morgan; Muskingum; Paulding; Perry; Ross; Union; Washington; and Wyandot.

 

Aerial Application for Gypsy Moth
Aerial treatment for gypsy moth in Ohio.

 

A complete listing of the open houses scheduled this winter beginning in February can be found on the ODA website.  The direct link to the PDF is http://www.agri.ohio.gov/divs/plant/gypsy/docs/Open%20House%20Schedule.pdf