Wisconsin Ag Connection - Gypsy Moth Aerial Spraying to Start Next Week

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Gypsy Moth Aerial Spraying to Start Next Week
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 05/08/2008

The sprouting of leaves means the arrival of gypsy moth caterpillars, a destructive pest that feeds on the leaves of many species of trees and shrubs in forests and backyards in Wisconsin. To combat the caterpillars, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture's Slow the Spread Program and the Department of Natural Resources' Suppression Spray Program are scheduled to begin aerial spraying around May 15 in several southern counties.

"The Slow the Spread Program sprays in the western part of the state along the leading edge of gypsy moth infestations where populations are relatively low and emerging," said Chris Lettau, STS program coordinator. "The objective of the program is to prevent or delay this harmful pest from getting established in the western half of the state."

The DNR Suppression Program serves the eastern part of the state where counties are quarantined for gypsy moth. In this part of the state, gypsy moth populations are already established, and areas are treated to prevent tree damage from very high populations of the pest, according to Andrea Diss-Torrance, DNR suppression program coordinator.

Under the STS program, a total of 90,190 acres are scheduled to be sprayed in the following counties: Ashland, Bayfield, Clark, Chippewa, Eau Claire, Green, Iowa, Jackson, Monroe, Price, Richland, Rusk and Taylor. The suppression program will treat a total of 12,563 acres in the following counties: Adams, Brown, Columbia, Dane, Door, Green Lake, Juneau, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Outagamie, Rock, Sauk and Waushara.

Spraying is weather dependent and may be done on weekends as well as during the week.

Most sites will be sprayed with Foray 48B, a bacterial insecticide approved for use in certified organic production or food processing by the Organic Materials Review Institute.

Residents living in or near spray sites can expect to see and hear low-flying planes beginning at around 5 a.m.

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