The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will begin aerial spraying of state woodlands to combat gypsy moth populations poised for spring outbreaks.
DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry will oversee spraying of 146 sites totaling 203,569 acres. Included will be nine state forests, nine state parks, state game lands and sections of the Allegheny National Forest in 19 counties located in south central, central, north central and north west Pennsylvania, according to a news release.
“As the insects emerge and begin feeding, the suppression effort will begin in early May,” Dunn said. “Our recent cool, wet springs had emerged as an enemy of the gypsy moth in years past, but populations have climbed in some areas to a point where aerial spraying is needed to keep this invasive pest in check and protect the trees from defoliation.”
The gypsy moth suppression program is conducted with the goal of preventing defoliation so that trees do not become stressed and succumb to disease, other insect pests, or drought. Aerial spraying will be conducted by helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft. Biological in nature, the applied insecticides must be ingested by young caterpillars as they feed on emerging foliage.
“In Pennsylvania, these destructive, invasive insects go through cycles where outbreaks occur every five to 10 years,” said DCNR Forest Health Manager Dr. Donald Eggen. “Populations had declined in years past thanks to the gypsy moth fungus disease and wet spring weather but that no longer is the case for 2021.”
TRENDING NOW:
Cox Media Group
