Pests

By CONNIE MERTZ

What is the most destructive forest pest in Pennsylvania? What insect costs the state more than $3,000,000 in spraying control? It comes as no surprise that the gypsy moth is the culprit. This year 169,112 acres will be sprayed, covering 23 counties. The problem is worsening—in 1999 only 45,000 acres needed aerial attention in 13 counties.

The spring weather is the determining factor whether the gypsy moth populations will increase or decrease. Last year, 837,594 acres of forest land was defoliated by these insects. Compared to only 281,605 in 1999, it is quite evident the populations are currently surging. This is not the first time the caterpillar (identified by red and blue tubercles on its back) has been a problem in the Keystone State. They tend to reach a peak, then collapse. As the populations begin to recover, the cycle begins again.

The gypsy moth is not native to our country. Someone got the idea that the gypsy moth would make them rich by producing silk. So, it was brought over from Europe to Massachusetts, but the silk produced was insignificant. Once the moths escaped into the wild, there was no stopping them.

Currently, they should still be in their egg masses, soon to emerge with warmer weather. They begin their cycle as tiny black caterpillars that cling to new leaves, preferably that of oaks, cherries, apples and willows. They chew away, and can literally strip a tree bare. Sometimes when hundreds, perhaps thousands, are on big oak trees, their munching can actually be heard. This is the stage where they are destructive. Once in the adult stage, it is easy to identify the tan-colored moth, for the male flies in a zig zag pattern searching for a female who cannot fly. There have been times I couldn’t walk out our country lane without having the moths fly into me.

The gypsy moth can destroy backyard shrubbery, but a close watch may save them. I remember times when we gathered moths in a bucket from the trees on our property. Back then, they would often pupate on the bottom of our wood siding. Again, we gathered them. We also destroyed countless egg masses. I am sure we didn’t even make a dent in their overall populations; we only had control on our small woodlot. No, they haven’t reached these proportions since, and I sure hope they don’t.