DNR postpones gypsy moth application until Friday due to weather
May 15, 2014
Due to inadequate weather conditions Wednesday (May 14), the aerial application to treat the West Lafayette campus for an outbreak of gypsy moths was delayed. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will try again on Friday (May 16).
Gypsy moths were discovered last summer near Windsor Hall. The gypsy moth is an invasive insect that threatens tree populations. After larvae were discovered on campus, action to stop the spread was mandated.
DNR will use a low-flying airplane to apply Btk, a bacterium found naturally in soil and on leaves that produces protein crystals that kill specific kinds of insects. Btk will not harm humans or animals. The Btk application is the first of three rounds of treatment. The second and third applications will happen in late May and/or June. The second application will be another round of Btk, and the third application will involve pheromones that will disrupt the mating process. All three applications will take place around sunrise.
More information can be found here.
