05-06-2008
Gypsy Moth Aerial Spraying to Start the Week of May 12 or 19
Contact: Nkauj Vang
608-224-4591
Editor's Note: Contact Andrea Diss-Torrance at 608-264-9247 regarding the Department of Natural Resources Suppression Spray Program.
MADISON -- The sprouting of leaves means the arrival of gypsy moth caterpillars, a destructive pest that feeds on the leaves of many species of trees and shrubs in forests and backyards in Wisconsin.
To combat the caterpillars, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection's Slow the Spread Program (STS) and the Department of Natural Resources Suppression Spray Program are scheduled to begin aerial spraying around May 15th in several southern counties.
"The STS program sprays in the western part of the state along the leading edge of gypsy moth infestations where populations are relatively low and emerging," said Chris Lettau, STS program coordinator. "The objective of the program is to prevent or delay this harmful pest from getting established in the western half of the state."
"The DNR Suppression Program serves the eastern part of the state where counties are quarantined for gypsy moth. In this part of the state, gypsy moth populations are already established, and areas are treated to prevent tree damage from very high populations of the pest," said Andrea Diss-Torrance, suppression program coordinator. "This is a voluntary program that works with landowners and municipalities in spraying to manage this invasive pest."
Under the STS program, a total of 90,190 acres are scheduled to be sprayed in the following counties:
- Ashland
- Bayfield
- Clark
- Chippewa
- Eau Claire
- Green
- Iowa
- Jackson
- Monroe
- Price
- Richland
- Rusk
- Taylor
Under the suppression program, a total of 12,563 acres are scheduled to be sprayed in the following counties:
- Adams
- Brown
- Columbia
- Dane
- Door
- Green Lake
- Juneau
- Marathon
- Marinette
- Marquette
- Menominee
- Milwaukee
- Outagamie
- Rock
- Sauk
- Waushara
Spraying is weather dependent and may be done on weekends as well as during the week.
Most sites will be sprayed with Foray 48B, a bacterial insecticide approved for use in certified organic production or food processing by the Organic Materials Review Institute. Foray contains Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki or Btk, which is a naturally-occurring soil bacteria that, when eaten by gypsy moth caterpillars, causes them to stop feeding and eventually die. Btk also breaks down quickly by sunlight. Three areas will be treated with a gypsy moth specific viral insecticide to prevent injury to a rare moth present at these sites.
"Btk is not harmful to people, pets or other wild animals," Diss-Torrance said. "However, if you are concerned, you may choose to stay indoors or avoid areas to be sprayed on the day that spraying occurs."
To achieve STS Program goals, two applications are made to ensure that early and late hatching caterpillars are treated. The second application is applied five to 10 days after the first application, depending on weather conditions. The Suppression Program treats with one application only, at a higher concentration.
Residents living in or near spray sites can expect to see and hear low-flying planes beginning at around 5 a.m., weather permitting.
"Spraying starts early in the morning because the humidity is higher and the winds are calmer than at other times of the day. These conditions allow for the best application of the product on the leaves," Lettau said.
Planes will remain in the area until the completion of the day's spray plans and if weather conditions allow. Spraying may last into the late morning or afternoon.
Spraying will move northward as both programs follow the development of the gypsy moth in the state. Btk treatments may continue into mid-June. Later in summer, the STS program will conduct mating disruption treatments from late June to the end of July. The treatment interferes with the ability of male moths to find females in low, isolated populations. The suppression program does not conduct mating disruption treatments because the populations it treats are much too large for this technique to be effective.
For more information about the programs and gypsy moths or for maps of the spray sites, visit the cooperative gypsy moth Web site at http://gypsymoth.wi.gov. Or, call the toll-free gypsy moth information line at 1-800-642-MOTH (1-800-642-6684) to hear a recording of the programs' most up-to-date spray plans, talk to staff, or leave a message.
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