Gypsy Moths - x post to NE Gardening

I am not sure what to do next, but tonight I identified 4 caterpillars as gypsy moth cats. Groan.... just what I need. I looked at the entomology site for the Univ WI - and there's no doubt thats what they are. The Ohio State bulletins say they've been moving into Northeast Ohio and this year they are expected to increase in numbers. Has anyone else seen them? They say that Bt works but it also kills all other caterpillars - so thats no good. There is a new fungal biological control but I'm not clear whether its available to the general public yet. I wonder if I am able to get rid of them if they'll come right back next year? I live in a heavily wooded area with lots of oaks - a preferred tree. If anybody has any suggestions I'm open. Thanks...

Well, the best suggestion I can offer is to give them such a warm welcome there that they decide not to move on to central Illinois . . . we have enough problems here already.

Good luck --

Guy S.

I saw something on TV about synthetic females (i.e. wood chips with the right aroma). Males mate once, hopefully with a wood chip, then die. Is that working?

Interesting thought UUallace. I was thinking about this thread and a possible pheremone trap this morning, like you can use for Jap beetles. Is something like that available or under devlopement?

Uhhh thanks Guy. I think I'll put a synthetic 2 x 4 out there and see if they're turned on.

I can't believe you don't have them yet, they have been here for over 5 years. A combination of burlap, tanglefoot and eggmass oilings will slow them down. Your best luck is for your DNR to declare it a hotspot and spray it with btk.

What a life . . .

Al, we don't have them down here yet, but they have been found in NE Illinois and we know it's inevitable. The "slow the spread" campaign has been pretty effective, and hopefully by the time they do get here the polyhedrous virus and other controls won't be far behind.

Alyrics, I think your 2x4 might be most effective if you swat them with it!

Guy S.

I am in NE Illinois. I was a part of a team that went out to survey several areas for gypsy moth infestations. The objective was to count egg cases and indicate where they were with our GPS units. We're loaded. I'd go for the pheremone traps. I know there are people who will disagree however, for each GM you trap... that is one less adult capable of reproducing. Each female can produce up to a 1,000 caterpillars next spring that will emerge ready to chow down. Right now, the caterpillars are ending their feeding stage and they will begin to pupate. If you're going to go for it, now is the time to get your traps in place.

This brand works well-
http://www.pestdetour.com/gypsymoth.asp

You can also make your own, they aren't all that difficult-
http://web.aces.uiuc.edu/urban/gypsymoth/management.html

I've used the store bought because they were readily available in hardware and home improvement stores out my way.

It is also a good idea to familiarize yourself with what the egg case looks like. I've been scratching them out of their little crevices with my fingernails when I find them for a while.

Gypsy moth has struck with a vengeance here this season. Literally exploded and widespread. The fungus Entomophaga maimaiga and Nucleopolyhedrosis virus (NPV) are also present with laboratory confirmed mortality. This area asked the state last fall for assistance in Bt spraying and was told the egg mass count was too low. They goofed and now there has been serious damage done. Some residents sprayed, some used burlap bands. Both strategies were effective, with Sevin spraying appearing to have an edge. While the burlap bands trapped very large numbers of caterpillars there was more leaf skeletonization on the burlapped trees than the Sevin sprayed trees. Bt spraying is more benign than Sevin, but it does not descriminate between good and bad caterpillers. GypCheck (which is man made NPV) is exclusive to Gypsy moth. But it is difficult to produce. The limited available quantites are reserved in Ohio for areas where endangered butterflies are present such as the Karner Blue. I would not want a female gypsy moth trap any where near me and my oaks. You can use a "super soaker" water gun to remove egg masses higher in the tree canopy in the fall when the leaves are down. I highly recommend that you inventory all plants on your land against a list of "susceptible" trees. They will eat other vegatation. I was so focused on maintaining the oaks that I very nearly lost a weeping larch. It is making a comeback but it was very, very close. Conifers will not stand one defoliation. Fight the good fight folks.