Gypsy Moth Infestation
The Gypsy moth infestation is especially severe in 2021 around Augur Lake . If you have have a technique for dealing with these pest and are willing to share it, please send an email to dbuchholz@northwestern.edu
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This was a particularly good guide to dealing wit the gypsy moth problem by the West Virginia Extension Service as provided by DEC.
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DEC responded to Noel Cacchio's reporting the local Gypsy moth infestation.
Hi Noel,
Thank you for reporting this, I will add this location to our Gypsy moth distribution map. We are having a really bad infestation this year and they are defoliating trees all over NY. Currently the DEC does not have any spraying program to control gypsy moth. Arial sprays were conducted in the 80's and 90's but didn't work too well and gypsy moth has become well established in the environment here in the northeast.
I'm attaching a link to our GM info page, a FAQ video made by Rob Cole (the gypsy moth project coordinator), and a guide with all the info you'll need for management on your property.
DEC Gypsy Moth Webpage - https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/83118.html
Link to Gypsy Moth FAQ Video - https://www.wktv.com/content/news/Yes-theres-an-outbreak-of-gypsy-moth-caterpillars-in-NY-574648971.html
It is getting late in the season to spray Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticide because is only works on the caterpillars and they should be starting to pupate soon. This is what Jerry Carlson, the chief of the forest health program and research scientist, said the other day regarding the gypsy moth's natural diseases:
"Hope you all heard, the gypsy moth larvae near the Canadian border have been found to be over 50% infected with the virus and a fungus that kills them quick. Hopefully we will find that in many other parts of the state this week or next. The heavy rains seem to be a correlation to the rapid spread of these insect diseases."
We are likely experiencing the boom of their 10-15 year population cycle and this native disease will eventually take most of them out, if not already. Luckily most trees should be able to recover even after a massive defoliation event and should start to refoliate in the next few weeks. There will be some tree mortality but this it to be expected with gypsy moth population peaks. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
I hope you find this helpful.
Best of luck,
LS
Liam Somers
Entomologist, Forest Health Diagnostic Lab
Bureau of Invasive Species & Ecosystem Health
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
108 Game Farm Rd. Delmar, NY 12054
P: (518) 478-7813 | liam.somers@dec.ny.gov
www.dec.ny.gov | | |
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Article in Plattsburgh Press Republican June 21, 2021 about gypsy moth damage. It contains links for how to control gypsy moths.
The following are from the same article Gypsy Moth Facts section in the Press Republican.
Tent caterpillars look similar to gypsy moths and also feed in the spring. See the Caterpillar Comparison Chart at tinyurl.com/2f7jcus3 to determine which type you have.
View detailed instructions on how to make and use your own trap on the University of Wisconsin website at tinyurl.com/sntb8yxv.
Greater detail on insecticide treatment and timing can be found in the US Forest Service's guide to gypsy moths at tinyurl.com/aktcyfuk.