3/17/09 GYPSY MOTH QUESTIONS? a program sponsored by Smithfield EAC was held Sat March 14th at 10 AM! Those little buggers will soon be munching across the landscape. Jackie Hakim of Vector Control and Daryl Speicher of Monroe County Environmental Education Center presented information on options for gypsy moth population control, including requirements for qualification in the state program, and the pros and cons of bacterial spraying. The spraying of chemical pesticides, such as Sevin, is discouraged as it is toxic to many other insects.
While there are no natural predators for the gypsy moth caterpillars, there is a fungus and a bacteria that can kill the caterpillars. The fungus is naturally occuring, grows on the bark of oak trees, the gypsy moth caterpillars favorite leaf, and once ingested kills the caterpillars, which decompose if left in place and help to spread the fungus. The fungus likes damp climate, so in a dry summer, the trunks of trees where it occurs can be gently sprayed, and the trees can be watered, to keep it active.
The bacteria BT-1, is sprayed by the state and private companies. A single application of BT by spraying is most effective when there is not a huge infestation because during years of high occurrence, the caterpillars hatch over a two week or longer period, so a single application is ingested by only a small percentage of the pests.
In fact, a single spraying during the seasons of very high population ( 40,000 egg masses per acre) can prolong the infestation of the area by killing only some of the caterpillars, leaving the majority to continue to find enough to eat, and lay eggs next season.
BT-1 is available for application by residents, and can be effective in protecting special trees including spruce trees, especially if applied more than once when the caterpillars are feeding. As a precaution, Jackie explained that BT-1 will affect all caterpillars eating sprayed leaves, not just gypsy moths, but luckily there are no endangered species of caterpillars that feed at this time in the season.
Additional questions about gypsy moth control can be emailed to me at cgriffin@smithfieldtownship.com, and will be posted w. answers on this page.
The program was sponsored by Smithfield Environmental Advisory Committee, at the Municipal Center at Waterfront Park, Red Fox Road, East Stroudsburg, PA.
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