Insect
and Disease Fact Sheet Compliments of New Century
1-877-79TREES
Status of the Gypsy
Moth in Ohio
|
Gypsy Moth first instar. |
Gypsy Moth Larvae. |
Male & Female with egg mass. |
Due to
increasing gypsy moth populations in northeastern Ohio, the State and Federal
Departments of Agriculture established quarantine in 1987 to limit the spread
of this destructive pest. Gypsy moth populations first reached defoliating
levels in 1990. Defoliation peaked in 1995 at nearly 35,000 acres. Increased
gypsy moth damage is expected as the insect spreads into the State's
unglaciated oak-hickory forestlands.
There is
good news to report in the fight against the gypsy moth. A new weapon has emerged.
A fungus, Entomophaga maimaiga
(Em), has emerged as a tool that can be used against
this voracious feeder. This highly virulent and host-specific fungal pathogen
of gypsy moth larvae is known as one of the most important causes of mortality
in Japanese gypsy moth populations.
|
Gypsy Moth egg mass on tree. |
Since
1990, the Ohio Department of Agriculture has been conducting gypsy moth
suppression projects in the generally infested areas of the State, combined
with pheromone trapping and eradication projects in areas not considered
generally infested. The
purpose of these projects is to maintain gypsy moth populations below
damaging levels in infested areas of Ohio, while identifying and eliminating
isolated gypsy moth populations in the State's uninfested areas. The projects
have included many different tactics including insecticides, biological
controls, and mass trapping.
Adult male Gypsy Moth with
feathered antennae. |
|
Lifespan of Gypsy Moth. |
Ohio’s 43 quarantined counties as of September 2002. |
Predicted spread of the Gypsy
Moth in 25 years.
Information obtained through the Ohio Department of
Natural Resources.
Insect
and Disease Fact Sheet Compliments of New Century
1-877-79TREES