gypsy moth management

Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) caterpillars are becoming evident in areas where populations are present. Citizens are reaching out to local Extension offices to identify the caterpillar and determine what is the best course of action.

 

The caterpillars are voracious feeders and as their numbers build, their appetites expand and plant foliage disappears rather quickly. While they prefer oaks, their host preferences are quite expansive. They seem to enjoy the needles of spruce, especially as larger, or later instar caterpillars.

 

Wisconsin has a "...

Within the last week, there have been several reports of gypy moth (Lymantria dispar) infestations to the county Extension Offices in NW Ohio, specifically Defiance, Fulton, Henry and Lucas Counties from landowners in those counties. 

While the hatch of gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) caterpillars in some areas of the state began weeks ago, and the optimal treatment time to manage the caterpillar stage is nearing, first instar caterpillars just recently made their 'insect-debut' in NW Ohio, specifically in Toledo where the observation was made.

The caterpillar feeding frenzy has ended for the year and adult activity is being observed in NW Ohio. The male moths have taken flight in their zig-zag pattern in hopes of finding a mate. The female moths are white and a bit larger in size, and typically don't move far distances from the pupal casing that they emerged from. She gives off a pheromone to alert close by males of her location. After a visit from the male moth, she will begin laying eggs. The mass of eggs laid now, will remain in that stage until the following spring. 

Last year was an active year for gypsy moth in Ohio, especially what I was seeing personally in Lucas County (Toledo, Ohio). Earlier this season, the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) treated ten identified blocks in Lucas County. There were also treatments made across the state for both larval control and mating distribution at part of the national program coordinated in Ohio by ODA. Information on the treatments made by ODA, including maps, can be found on their website at: https://agri.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/oda/divisions/plant-health/gypsy-moth-program/gypsy-moth-program  Additionally...

What are those Helicopters spraying? Helicopters were flying over Perry, Ohio on May 25, 2018 last year spraying tree lines and nursery stock. What were they spraying? Why from a helicopter? Lake County is one of 51 counties in Ohio that fall under the European Gypsy Moth Quarantine. Currently 51 counties in Ohio are regulated under the Gypsy Moth quarantine. One main requirement for the compliance agreement is that nurseries must apply a USDA-approved insecticide to the entire growing area in mid to late May.

The gypsy moth is a non-native pest that feeds on leaves and needles of over 300 different trees in the buckeye state. The feeding injury occurs in the spring and early summer when populations are present. The early season feeding, when heavy, causes the plants to push new leaves that ultimately are the food-factories for the rest of the year. Healthy deciduous trees can usually recover as long as there isn't repeat defoliation year after year. Evergreens can die in a single season.