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City battles gypsy moth infestation

By BRIAN LEAHY
of The Gazette
Gypsy moths, an invasive species known for defoliating trees, have established a foothold in the city of Stevens Point.

Large numbers of egg masses have been spotted around the 3000 block of Patch Street, especially in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery and along the road right of way.

"There are pockets around the county, but nothing this bad," said Paul Ziemann, city arborist.

Ziemann went after the egg masses with an insecticide Monday to keep the infestation from growing. The insecticide, "Golden Natur'l Spray Oil for Gypsy Moth Egg Mass Control," is available at gardening stores. The spray is 93 percent soybean oil and 7 percent inert materials.

"It's soybean oil. That's all it really is. It suffocates the eggs," Ziemann said.
Even though the furry-looking egg masses are easy to find throughout the oak woodlot next to the cemetery, no significant defoliation was noted in the area this year. Stevens Point Forestry Department personnel want to keep it that way.

"The insect is an aggressive feeder in the caterpillar stage, and can quickly defoliate trees and shrubs," said Todd Ernster, city forester. "If the public has any questions, especially anybody residing around the 3000 block of Patch Street, they should feel to contact the Stevens Point Forestry Department at 346-1532."

People can blame a Harvard scientist, Professor L. Trouvelet, for bringing the gypsy moth to North America. Gypsy moths are native to Europe, Asia and North Africa. Trouvelet thought he could breed a hardy silkworm using gypsy moths. Some escaped from his laboratory between 1868 and 1869. With few natural enemies in their new environment, gypsy moths quickly spread - 20 years after they escaped, gypsy moths defoliated shade and fruit trees in a 360-square-mile area around Medford, Mass.

Wisconsin is now on the western edge of gypsy moth expansion. As of 2001 gypsy moths were established in the eastern third of the state, including Shawano, Waupaca and Waushara counties, according to the Department of Natural Resources.

Female gypsy moths can't fly. Gypsy moths expand into new territories by hitchhiking - female moths will lay their egg masses on vehicles, wood products and other items that are then transported to new areas. An egg mass can turn into 600-1,000 hungry caterpillars next spring.

"The females crawl anywhere and lay their eggs," said Ziemann as he was examining a garbage bag, a piece of litter, covered with egg masses. "That's how they get spread - campers, trucks, anywhere - hence their name, gypsy moths."

Homeowners can resort to mild forms of chemical or nuclear warfare to eliminate egg masses.

"They can either spray egg masses or they can scrape the egg mass off into a jar and nuke it for two minutes (in the microwave)," Ziemann said.

Forestry Department workers have been surveying the neighborhood around the cemetery to see how large the infestation is. If an outbreak is large enough, state agencies will include it in their aerial spraying program. Each spring large tracts of forested areas infected by gypsy moths are sprayed with b.t.k., a natural bacteria that kills caterpillars. Areas to be sprayed are selected each year using information gathered from trapping and survey programs. Different Portage County sites have been sprayed during the last several years as the state tries to slow the gypsy moth's westward movement.

Gypsy moth caterpillars prefer to eat oak leaves. They have been known to eat the leaves of 600 other kinds of trees and shrubs. Defoliation following an outbreak usually happens in mid-June. Healthy trees can survive defoliation and grow a new set of leaves that year. Foresters recommended landowners periodically thin their woodlots to keep their trees healthy and, in forests that are mainly oak, increase tree diversity.

To help control the spread of gypsy moths, the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer protection recommends people:

· Check their vehicles and equipment for egg masses before leaving on vacation and again before they return.

· Examine patio furniture, trees and sheltered spots on buildings for egg masses.

· Allow state and federal trappers on their property and notify them if any traps are disturbed or disappear.

· Notify the department upon finding a gypsy moth in any life stage by calling 1-800-642-MOTH.



	City battles gypsy moth infestation By BRIAN LEAHY of The Gazette Gypsy moths, an invasive species known for defoliating trees, have established a foothold in the city of Stevens Point. Large numbers of egg masses have been spotted around the 3000 block of Patch Street, especially in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery and along the road right of way. "There are pockets around the county, but nothing this bad," said Paul Ziemann, city arborist. Ziemann went after the egg masses with an insecticide Monday to keep the infestation from growing. The insecticide, "Golden Natur'l Spray Oil for Gypsy Moth Egg Mass Control," is available at gardening stores. The spray is 93 percent soybean oil and 7 percent inert materials. "It's soybean oil. That's all it really is. It suffocates the eggs," Ziemann said. Even though the furry-looking egg masses are easy to find throughout the oak woodlot next to the cemetery, no significant defoliation was noted in the area this year. Stevens Point Forestry Department personnel want to keep it that way. "The insect is an aggressive feeder in the caterpillar stage, and can quickly defoliate trees and shrubs," said Todd Ernster, city forester. "If the public has any questions, especially anybody residing around the 3000 block of Patch Street, they should feel to contact the Stevens Point Forestry Department at 346-1532." People can blame a Harvard scientist, Professor L. Trouvelet, for bringing the gypsy moth to North America. Gypsy moths are native to Europe, Asia and North Africa. Trouvelet thought he could breed a hardy silkworm using gypsy moths. Some escaped from his laboratory between 1868 and 1869. With few natural enemies in their new environment, gypsy moths quickly spread - 20 years after they escaped, gypsy moths defoliated shade and fruit trees in a 360-square-mile area around Medford, Mass. Wisconsin is now on the western edge of gypsy moth expansion. As of 2001 gypsy moths were established in the eastern third of the state, including Shawano, Waupaca and Waushara counties, according to the Department of Natural Resources. Female gypsy moths can't fly. Gypsy moths expand into new territories by hitchhiking - female moths will lay their egg masses on vehicles, wood products and other items that are then transported to new areas. An egg mass can turn into 600-1,000 hungry caterpillars next spring. "The females crawl anywhere and lay their eggs," said Ziemann as he was examining a garbage bag, a piece of litter, covered with egg masses. "That's how they get spread - campers, trucks, anywhere - hence their name, gypsy moths." Homeowners can resort to mild forms of chemical or nuclear warfare to eliminate egg masses. "They can either spray egg masses or they can scrape the egg mass off into a jar and nuke it for two minutes (in the microwave)," Ziemann said. Forestry Department workers have been surveying the neighborhood around the cemetery to see how large the infestation is. If an outbreak is large enough, state agencies will include it in their aerial spraying program. Each spring large tracts of forested areas infected by gypsy moths are sprayed with b.t.k., a natural bacteria that kills caterpillars. Areas to be sprayed are selected each year using information gathered from trapping and survey programs. Different Portage County sites have been sprayed during the last several years as the state tries to slow the gypsy moth's westward movement. Gypsy moth caterpillars prefer to eat oak leaves. They have been known to eat the leaves of 600 other kinds of trees and shrubs. Defoliation following an outbreak usually happens in mid-June. Healthy trees can survive defoliation and grow a new set of leaves that year. Foresters recommended landowners periodically thin their woodlots to keep their trees healthy and, in forests that are mainly oak, increase tree diversity. To help control the spread of gypsy moths, the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer protection recommends people: · Check their vehicles and equipment for egg masses before leaving on vacation and again before they return. · Examine patio furniture, trees and sheltered spots on buildings for egg masses. · Allow state and federal trappers on their property and notify them if any traps are disturbed or disappear. · Notify the department upon finding a gypsy moth in any life stage by calling 1-800-642-MOTH.