TRR photo by Sandy Long Two of the gypsy moth’s life stages are depicted here. Egg masses, (fuzzy light-tan mounds) which are deposited by flightless female gypsy moths on trees and other sheltered places, typically contain approximately 500 eggs. Pupae (dark cylindrical shapes) shelter the caterpillar as it transforms into an adult moth.

Gypsy moths munch out

It seems as if they’re everywhere—gypsy moth caterpillars—crawling across roads, descending from trees , even climbing up the outsides of our homes. And while there’s no denying that the voracious caterpillars wreak considerable havoc on our forests, their adaptive ability is impressive.

Where did these fascinating creatures come from, and how have they managed to infiltrate our region so effectively? What is the potential impact to our forests, and what can be done to minimize the hungry caterpillars’ effect on the ecosystem?

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Mrs. Kooistra’s garden

When we bought our house in Jeffersonville, we were lucky to have purchased the former home of a skilled gardener. Mrs. Kooistra managed to achieve the Holy Grail of gardeners—a succession of bloom throughout the season. Even though, as she aged, she was unable to give her garden the attention it may have been accustomed to, every spring her skills are evident still as, like a complex dance, trees and shrubs bloom one after the other.

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EcoWatch

Turtles on the move

As recent homeowners in Masthope, we took a trip to the Home Depot in Honesdale after Memorial Day weekend. On Long Ridge road (the 2003), we noticed a truck parked off to the side and a man moving around in the left lane, as if looking for something. We slowed down to see if he needed help.

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Also in this issue:

• A bonfire celebration for the solstice
• Sojourn on the river
• Seniors receive “Golden Passes” to Lake Superior