Wisconsin Ag Connection - Gypsy Moth Treatments Proposed For 13 Counties

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Gypsy Moth Treatments Proposed For 13 Counties
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 03/06/2008

Gypsy moth spray planes will be a familiar sight in some counties this spring and summer, while in others, the low-flying yellow planes will make an appearance for the first time. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture plans to treat 39 sites covering 90,190 acres in 13 counties to control the spread of the destructive forest pest, the gypsy moth.

"Gypsy moths have been slowly spreading across Wisconsin since the early 1990s," explained Chris Lettau, gypsy moth program coordinator with DATCP. "Gypsy moths prefer oak trees, but as their population grows, they will feed on the leaves of hundreds of other species of trees and shrubs. Gypsy moths threaten our forests and urban trees, which can have a negative impact on Wisconsin's timber, paper, nursery and tourism industries. It can be very unpleasant seeing defoliated trees and thousands of caterpillars in the summer."

Beginning in May, 24 sites will be sprayed with Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki or Btk. Btk, a commonly used biological pesticide, has been successfully used in gypsy moth treatments for more than 30 years. Gypsy moth caterpillars eat the leaves that have been treated with Btk. The product causes the caterpillars to stop eating, and they eventually die. Most of these sites will receive two applications of Btk, about seven to 10 days apart.

In June and July, 15 additional sites will be treated with pheromone flakes. These tiny green flakes carry the scent of the female gypsy moth that confuses the male moths and disrupts the mating cycle.

The counties with proposed treatment sites are Ashland, Bayfield, Chippewa, Clark, Eau Claire, Green, Iowa, Jackson, Monroe, Price, Richland, Rusk and Taylor.

The Wisconsin Cooperative Gypsy Moth Program will hold four public meetings in March to give citizens, foresters, local officials and others an opportunity to learn about the program and comment on the proposed treatment plan. For a list of meetings, call the toll-free gypsy moth hotline at 1-800-642-MOTH.

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