The gypsy moth was introduced into the
U.S.
in 1869.In
Medford
Massachusetts
that same year, it escaped into the local woodlands.The moth was brought to the
U.S.
because it was believed that it could be used for silk production.Since that time, the gypsy moth has spread throughout the eastern
United States
and southern
Canada
.Early spray programs utilized lead
based insecticides and later DDT.These
chemicals were effective, however, they were detrimental to the environment.Chemical such as these are no longer being used.
The gypsy moth has four stages of development.The first stage is the egg.The
eggs are commonly found under tree branches, at the junction of the tree trunk
and branches, or any place that provides protection from the weather.The egg masses are buff or tan in color and are about the size of a
quarter.The second stage is the
larvae or caterpillar stage.When
first hatched from the egg, the caterpillar is very small.The caterpillar, when fully developed, can grow to about 2 ˝ inches
long.They are generally very hairy
and have two rows of spots.The
first five pairs of spots are blue and the last six pairs of spots are brick red
color.The rest of the body is gray
or black in color.The third stage
is the pupae stage.This is when the
caterpillar forms a “sack” and begins the process of changing into the moth.These pupae are brown in color and can be found hanging on tree bark or
anywhere there is some protection from the weather.The fourth stage is the moth stage.The
male moth is usually tan with some black wing markings.The male is a strong flyer.The
female is usually off-white in color and usually does not fly well.They can commonly be found fluttering at ground level.
Since their introduction into the
U.S.
in 1869, the gypsy moth population has run in cycles.The moth population increases about ever 5-10 years.One reason for this cycle is a natural fungus that is found in the soil.This fungus can be contracted by the gypsy moth when it is in the
caterpillar stage.The caterpillar
will usually die when it contracts this fungus.You may notice caterpillars hanging upside-down on tree branches.The caterpillar is dead and appears to be “dried-out”.This is an example of a gypsy moth that has fallen victim to the natural
fungus.The fungus is not harmful to
humans or other wildlife.The
abundance of the fungus also runs in cycles.As the gypsy moth population increases, so does the abundance of the
fungus.There are also other natural
gypsy moth controls.There are more
than a dozen parasites that attack the gypsy moth.Also some small mammals, birds, and beetles help to control the
population.
In addition to the natural
controls, many County Conservation Districts have a gypsy moth spray program.Here in Blair
County
the program is available.It is
coordinated through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR),
Bureau of Forestry.The program is
available to any
Blair
County
resident with the following three criteria:The egg masses must be abundant on the property, the property must
have a home on it, and the property must have at least 50% tree cover.
The program in
Blair
County
will spray a 500 foot buffer area around the home.Non-residential lots, such as open stands of timber, do not
qualify for the program.Each
homeowner with a gypsy moth problem should contact the Conservation District.Once contacted, a district representative will conduct an investigation
of the property to determine if the property qualifies for the program.
Gypsy
Moth Eggs
2007 Spray Program:
It became apparent in the summer of 2006 that the
gypsy moth infestation was on the rise in
Blair
County
.Defoliation was observed along the
western half of the county from
Allegheny
Township
to the north and also in
Sinking
Valley
.The Commissioners committed to
participate in the State Program by allowing Conservation District staff to
facilitate the County/State Program.Funding
from the County was not allocated; therefore, the entire cost of the spray
program was requested from the participating municipalities.1,070 acres were sprayed in May of 2007 in the private residential spray
program in the following municipalities:
Across
the Commonwealth, 64,515 acres were sprayed this past spring.Of that total, 35,530 acres were for Private Residential Blocks; 20,347
acres in State Forests; 3,672 acres in State Parks and 3,816 acres of State Game
Lands.
Looking to 2008:
We are seeing evidence of the continued building of
gypsy moth populations in Blair County.Defoliation levels have already
surpassed last year and have moved across the county.The sequence of events for the 2008 spray program is as follows:
To Date - Blair County Commissioners have committed to participate and
serve as the Contract Holder with the State Bureau of Forestry.Conservation District Staff will serve as the local coordinator and
contact for the program.
By the End of August 2007 - Municipalities are asked to participate with
the intent to pay the cost of spraying within their boundaries.The 2008 Cost per
Acre
has been set at $17.00.Municipalities
may elect to charge the residents for spraying.
By the End of August 2007 - Residents should contact the Conservation
District to relay their property information and location if they wish to have
an egg mass survey conducted to determine eligibility for the spray program.Blocks will only be proposed based on landowner requests.Residents may call or complete and mail the "Request Form"
found at this site.
August & September 2007 - District staff investigate all requests for
egg mass surveys in those municipalities that have agreed to participate in
the 2008 program.
October 1, 2007
- Proposed Spray Block locations and acreage figures are due to the State
Bureau of Forestry.Forestry
personnel will review and may edit blocks for final approval.
November 15, 2007
- County coordinators are notified of approved blocks and acreages.
December 1, 2007
- Conservation District notifies participating municipalities of blocks
approved and bills for 2008 spray acres are sent out to be paid by
January 15, 2008
.
March 6 -15, 2008 Public Notice announcing blocks and acres proposed for
spraying will be published in local papers.By
April 15, 2008
- Schools are notified of impending spraying.
Late April to Early June 2008 - Spray Season - Weather Dependent.
A
Case of Mistaken Identity:
Fall webworms and tent caterpillars are commonly mistaken for gypsy
moths.Fall webworms form white
colored webs in the branches of trees. These pests are native to
North America
.Tent caterpillars also form white
webs where the branches extend from the tree trunk or in the crotch of braches.Tent caterpillars form slightly smaller webs than fall webworms.Tent caterpillars and fall webworms form white colored webs in trees,
thus the presence of white webs in trees is not a sign of gypsy moths.
Gypsy Moth Spray Program Request
Form 
Gypsy Moth Female 
Gypsy Moth Caterpillar 
Gypsy
Moth Eggs
Eastern Tent Caterpillar
Eastern Tent Caterpillar Web
Fall Web Worm