January 24, 2005
Purdue, DNR team for gypsy moth public meetings
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The approach of spring means gypsy moth season for homeowners across much of the northeastern United States, including northern Indiana.
Jodie Ellis, the exotic species education coordinator at Purdue University, said northern Indiana is the leading edge of the gypsy moth population. Hoosiers who live in this area likely will find the Indiana Department of Natural Resources working in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service to slow the spread of the gypsy moth.
For that reason, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and Purdue are teaming up to provide gypsy moth public meetings throughout the state on Tuesday through Friday (Jan. 25-28).
Gypsy moths are an invasive species that feed on more than 500 species of trees and shrubs, but prefer oak trees. When populations explode, trees and shrubs can be completely defoliated. If defoliation occurs for more than a couple of years in a row, permanent damage can occur.
"Once established, it's impossible to eradicate the gypsy moth," said Bob Waltz, state entomologist. "But if you slow their spread, you can give the forest a chance to gather its natural defenses against this pest."
The meetings are open to the public and area geared toward residents in proposed treatment areas. A map of the treatment areas is available online. Meeting dates and times are:
At the meetings, representatives from the DNR and Purdue entomologists will talk about the gypsy moth, treatment methods and what homeowners can do.
"Two types of treatments are employed against gypsy moths," Ellis said. "The first uses Bacillus thuringiensis variant kurstaki (Btk). Btk is a bacteria that naturally occurs in the soil and effectively controls gypsy moth caterpillars, yet it has an excellent safety record with humans and other animals."
This treatment, which is aerially sprayed over the leading edge of an infestation in mid-May, is used where both male moths and egg masses are found.
The second treatment is used in areas where many male moths are found, but no egg masses and few caterpillars have been observed. In those cases, pheromone sprays that mimic the smell of female gypsy moths are aerially applied in June.
"Since male moths emerge a few days before the females, they are overwhelmed by the immediate pheromone smell," Ellis said. "They are confused by the smell, cannot find real females and die before mating."
Because both types of sprays are meant to slow the spread of the moth, they are not used in areas behind the leading edge of an infestation where gypsy moths have become a permanent part of the landscape.
Homeowners in areas scheduled for treatment will be notified by mail. Notices also are sent to local officials and news media. Btk applications generally take place during early morning hours when fewer people are likely to be outside.
After pheromone treatments, homeowners may notice a few tiny flakes on their car windshields. These can be safely rinsed off with water.
Homeowners can help slow the spread by being vigilant and removing egg masses and other life stages from firewood and nursery stock. It's also important to refrain from moving firewood and nursery stock from infested areas to regions where gypsy moths have not been found.
Writer: Kay Hagen, (765) 494-6682, kjh@purdue.edu
Sources: Jodie Ellis, (765) 494-0822, ellisj@purdue.edu
Bob Waltz, (317) 232-4120, bwaltz@dnr.IN.gov
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page
Related Web site:
Indiana DNR 2005 Gypsy Moth Meetings page
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