| Gypsy Moth |
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What is Gypsy Moth ? click here
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| What is BT? |
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In 1915, B. thuringiensis was discovered from diseased flour moth caterpillars, but few experiments or attempts to use this bacterium occurred until the 1950s. By 1961, the first BT product was registered for control of caterpillar pests, mainly in agricultural crops. Since that first registration, dramatic discoveries have occurred in identifying BT strains. Now we have BT products that affect caterpillars, leaf beetles, and mosquito larvae.
How Does BT Work?
The actual mode of action of BT is simple. The bacterium produces a crystal protein toxin that kills the cells lining the insect gut. When ingested, the bacterial cell wall is digested which releases this toxin. Since insects have guts that are only one cell layer thick, this toxin literally "eats" a hole in the gut, causing an infection in the body cavity.
The interesting thing about BT, is that only certain insects digest and are affected by the protein toxins. In most insects, as well as people, birds, fish, and other animals, the BT proteins have virtually no measurable effect.
Insecticides made from BT and its toxins are usually called microbial or biological insecticides.
With the development of fermentation technology, the BT bacterium can be grown in artificial media and gallons can be produced economically.
Do BT Sprays Harm People, Pets, Livestock, Honey Bees or the Environment?
As stated above, neither BT bacteria nor the protein toxins have any effect on people, pets (unless you are raising caterpillars as pets!), livestock, or honey bees. In fact, there is a BT product that is specifically registered to control the honey bee infesting caterpillar, the wax moth.
Unfortunately, there is considerable misunderstanding about the effects of BT sprays. Indeed, BT sprays will kill most of the young caterpillars that may ingest it as they feed on treated plant leaves. Both damaging caterpillars, such as the gypsy moth as well as harmless butterflies and moths, can be killed. However, by avoiding sensitive areas that may serve as habitat for desirable or endangered butterflies and moths, unwanted effects can be avoided.
In general, BT and its toxins are destroyed within three to five days by sunlight and other microbes. Caterpillars killed by BT stop feeding, drop to the ground, and decay harmlessly. The BT applied in a spray does not multiply or accumulate in the environment.
When is BT Most Effective?
Because of the way that caterpillars grow, only the young caterpillars have gut linings thin enough for the BT toxin to punch holes in it. For gypsy moth, once the larvae have gotten larger than 5/8-inch long, they are rather difficult to kill with BT. Therefore, the best time to apply BT is after all the eggs have hatched and while the caterpillars are no larger than third instars. The third instar is the caterpillar stage that has molted two times after hatching. Third instar larvae are usually 1/2- to 5/8-inch long and still have black heads.
Who uses BT?
Most federal, state, and local governments use BT products to control gypsy moth on public and private lands. While there are many insecticides registered for control of gypsy moth, most governmental agencies use BT as the "least toxic" method of control.
Occasionally, federal and state agencies will also use another biological pesticide based on the nucleopolyhedrosis virus (NPV). NPV is even more specific for gypsy moth caterpillars, but it is very expensive to produce and use, and is not commercially available.
Can I use BT?
Yes! BT products for caterpillar control are available from your local garden center. However, you will have to read the labels carefully because the BT package looks just like regular insecticides. Common over-the-counter products are: Dipel , Thuricide , and Caterpillar Attack .
Be sure to read the label for the active ingredients. "Bacillus thuringiensis, var. kurstaki" should be on the label. If the variety is "israelensis," "San Diego," or "tenebrionis," then you have a BT that is active against fly larvae or beetle larvae, not gypsy moth larvae.
Follow the label instructions carefully, and don't waste your time or money if the caterpillars are over 5/8- inch long!
Where else can I use gypsy moth BT?
If you need to dispose of the extra BT you may have purchased, check out the label. Many other garden and ornamental plant infesting caterpillars are on the label. It is excellent for control of cabbageworms, fall webworms, and bagworms - as long as you spray these caterpillars when they are very small!
Source: The Ohio State University
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2174.html
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| Effects of Defoliation on Trees |
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The effects of defoliation depend primarily on the amount of foliage that is removed, the condition of the tree at the time it is defoliated, the number of consecutive defoliations, available soil moisture, and the species of host.
If less than 50 percent of their crown is defoliated, most hardwoods will experience only a slight reduction (or loss) in radial growth.
If more than 50 percent of their crown is defoliated, most hardwoods will refoliate or produce a second flush of foliage by midsummer . Healthy trees can usually withstand one or two consecutive defoliations of greater than 50 percent. Trees that have been weakened by previous defoliation or been subjected to other stresses such as drought are frequently killed after a single defoliation of more than 50 percent.
Trees use energy reserves during refoliation and are eventually weakened. Weakened trees exhibit symptoms such as dying back of twigs and branches in the upper crown and sprouting of old buds on the trunk and larger branches. Weakened trees experience radial growth reduction of approximately 30 to 50 percent.
Trees weakened by consecutive defoliations are also vulnerable to attack by disease organisms and other insects. For example, the Armillaria fungus attacks the roots, and the two-lined chestnut borer attacks the trunk and branches. Affected trees will eventually die 2 or 3 years after they are attacked.
Although not preferred by the larvae, pines and hemlocks are subject to heavy defoliation during gypsy moth outbreaks and are more likely to be killed than hardwoods. A single, complete defoliation can kill approximately 50 percent of the pines and 90 percent of the mature hemlocks.
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Jackson Township Gypsy Moth Spraying Program |
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Disclaimer |
The township has joined the 2009 state gypsy moth aerial spraying program. click here to see the proposed aerial spraying map.
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Commonly Asked Questions |
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| Statewide AerialDefoliation Map |
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| Jackson Township Proposed Aerial Spray Maps |
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| Aerial Defoliation Survey |
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| Chemicals |
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Control and Management |
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You are the first line of defense for protecting your trees and shrubs from damage by gypsy moth, other insects, nematodes and diseases. Being knowledgeable about the life cycle of the gypsy moth will pay off in money saved, labor expended and peace of mind.
Depending upon where you live in New Jerssey, gypsy moth outbreaks may last from two to several years or may never occur. Why gypsy moth populations explode from time to time is not entirely clear. Outbreaks will eventually
collapse, usually from natural causes.
Until a local gypsy moth population crashes, however, there are several techniques that homeowners can employ to keep damage and nuisance to an affordable minimum.
Monitoring
Hopefully, the mind set of dragging the sprayer out of the garage and spraying insecticide on trees and shrubs just because something might be out there lurking is no longer a part of the Michigander mentality. Years ago this was
called "insurance spraying" when everybody was spraying chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides ( e.g., DDT) on everything that moved. We all know where that got us!
Take time to inspect your trees and shrubs periodically for the various life forms of gypsy moth. Especially look for the caterpillars when they begin to hatch, usually in early May.
Contrary to popular belief, population explosions in a locality do not happen suddenly! An area will undergo a gradual population buildup for a time before the population goes into a phase of rapid release. This gives vigilant homeowners, neighborhoods and communities time to assess local conditions and take appropriate action.
The gypsy moth is in the egg mass form for nearly nine months, plenty of time to find and destroy them before they hatch in the spring. While it may not be possible to find and destroy all of the egg masses in and around your backyard, this activity will complement management activity taken in the spring.
Management
Non-Pesticide Techniques
Water and Fertilizer
We often take trees and shrubs for granted, figuring that they are indestructible and meant to last forever. trees and shrubs have specific nutrient and water requirements. Take the time to determine what they need, and water and
fertilize properly. There are bulletins avaliable at all county extension offices and garden centers. Most insects and diseases select trees and shrubs that are being stressed. Keeping your trees and shrubs healthy will reduce the pests and diseases attracted to your foliage and lessen the damage done if they are
attacked.
Sanitation
Keep your yard as clean as possible. Remove discarded items, dead branches (from the ground and out of the trees), stumps, etc., where the adult female moth is likely to lay egg masses. It is very important that homeowners be watchful when obtaining firewood from areas infested by the gypsy moth. A good rule of thumb is to never get more firewood in the summer or fall than you can burn by spring.
Each fall, check recreation vehicles (boats, trailers, campers, etc.) for gypsy moth egg masses.
Destroy Egg Masses
Gypsy moth egg masses are around for nearly nine months before they hatch. Homeowners can help reduce moth population on their property and in their neighborhood by seeking out and destroying egg masses each year.
When a gypsy moth caterpillar is about to pupate, it will look for a protected area such as a loose flap of bark, something flat nailed to a tree, woodpile of the underside of branches, etc. Once a suitable location is found, it weaves a loose net of silk around itself and transforms into a pupa. This is the resting
state where the caterpillar undergoes the miracle transformation from caterpillar to moth. This takes about two weeks.
Upon emergence, the female gypsy moth is creamy white and has a wingspan of about two inches. The male moth is smaller in size and camouflage brown with black mottling. Both have a distinguishing mar k on their forewings: an inverted black V often referred to as a chevron marking.
The female generally deposits egg masses from early July to mid-August depending upon local weather conditions. The female cannot fly, so she will lay egg masses near where she was in the pupal (cocoon) stage.
The adult female lives about a week. Her only purpose in life is to breed as quickly as possible and lay her eggs. She cannot fly, so she emits a chemical odor to attract the nearest male for mating. This chemical is called a
pheromone. After mating, the male flies off to mate several more times before dying. After mating, the female spends about a day depositing her egg mass, falls to the ground and dies. Neither the male or female moth feed.
Each egg mass can contain from 50 - 1,500 eggs. The eggs are intertwined in a matting of hair from the body of the female. The hair is a tan-buff color. It is also very water repellent and a good insulator.The egg masses begin hatching the following May. Hatching coincides with the bud break of aspen and the flowering of serviceberry.Homeowners are encouraged to search out and destroy egg masses. This is accomplished by scraping them from the surface to which they are attached into a coffee can or similar receptacle. They can be
buried or burned. Remember that each egg mass destroyed probably eliminates 400-500 caterpillars. Destroying egg masses is not a cure all. Many times egg masses are overlooked or inaccessible. However, it is a very good and certainly very cheap way to significantly impact the gypsy moth population
in your yard and neighborhood.
Barrier Bands
Sticky, or slippery bands can be placed around tree trunks to help curtail, though not necessarily prevent, the caterpillars movement into and out of the tree canopy.
Sticky bands can be purchased or made using a nonporous material that can be wrapped around a tree trunk, then coated with a commercially made, vegetable-based sticky material. Never put sticky material directly on the tree trunk. This will permanently stain the bark and may harm the tree.
Sticky bands should not be put on the tree until the caterpillars are about an inch long. Smaller caterpillars usually stay in the tree canopy. Because sticky bands eventually lose their effectiveness due to rain and other weather factors, the sticky material has to be reapplied periodically. Bands covered completely
with caterpillars need to be cleaned or replaced.
Slippery bands are also intended to interrupt the daily migration of the caterpillar. They prevent the caterpillar from climbing up into the canopy.
Hiding Bands
Cloth, or hiding bands, can be homemade from medium weight dark cloth about 12 to 18 inches wide and long enough to completely wrap around the tree. Fasten each band at about chest height around the tree with twine, cord or wire about midway from the bottom of the cloth. Then fold the top part of the cloth down over the bottom half.
Some of the caterpillars descending the tree in the morning hours in search of a secluded daytime resting spot will hide under the flap of the band. Remove and destroy the caterpillars each day by scraping them into a bucket of soapy water.
Pesticide Techniques
Biological Pesticide
There are many pesticides registered for use against gypsy moth in Michigan. The only pesticides used in the the Michigan Voluntary Cooperative Suppression Program are products that contain B.t.k. Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki as the active ingredient. B.t. is a common soil bacteria. It is
commercially formulated and sold under various labels (e.g., Dipel, Foray, Thuricide and Bactur to name a few). B.t. can be applied from the ground or by aerial spraying.
B.t. formulations are quite safe to humans. There is no apparent human toxicity, although there have been rare cases of allergic reaction by humans to certain formulations of B.t. In fact, B.t. is only known to be toxic to the
caterpillars of moths and butterflies. While there are many species of caterpillars affected by B.t., this pesticide is the most "selective" product available.
To be most effective in minimizing defoliation, B.t. must be applied when the caterpillars are less than one inch long. As caterpillars get larger, the efficacy of B.t. diminishes. B.t. has a reported residual activity (i.e. how long it remains potent) of about a week. It is broken down by sunlight. In instances where there are extremely high gypsy moth populations, two applications five days apart might be needed.
Most chemical pesticides are 95% - 99% effective. B.t.k. is probably is 80%- 85% efficient in field applications. This is actually a desirable attribute of B.t.k.. That may sound like a contradiction, but it isn't. Pesticides that are highly efficient will eventually work against the pest manager. Insects, through natural selection, will develop resistance to the pesticide. By leaving 15% of the population intact, selection for resistance is slowed. B.t.k. has been used against gypsy moth for over fifteen years and no resistance has been
discovered.
There is, quite naturally, a trade off. When B.t.k. is applied there are still some caterpillars crawling around. However, nuisance is reduced to a minimum, defoliation lowered below damaging levels, and B.t.k. remains effective.
Chemical Insecticides
A number of chemical pesticides are registered against gypsy moth in Michigan. Many are available at your local garden center or nursery. Some of the most common are formulations of acephate, carbaryl, and malathion.
If you choose to use chemical insecticides to control gypsy moth, apply them judiciously and wisely. Besides gypsy moth they can have a potential impact on a variety of beneficial insects, including valuable predators, parasites and honeybees.
Regardless of what insecticide you choose, read the label instructions and follow them exactly. If you have any potential personal health concerns regarding pesticides, discuss them with your family physician or contact your local health department.
(Source: Michigan Gypsy Moth Education Program - http://www.ent.msu.edu/gypsyed/docs/control.html#Bulletins)
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Other Helpful Links |
Private Companies That Spray Residential Properties for Gypsy Moths |
Scheduled Blocks For Aerial Spraying |
Gypsy Moth Suppression Q & A |
Gypsy Moth Suppression Homeowner Fact Sheet |
2007 State Spray Zones. |
Gypsy Moth in North America |
Gypsy Moth in North America - USDA Forest Service |
USDA Gypsy Moth Program Manual |
NJ Administrative Code-Title2 Agriculture - Chapter 23 Gypsy Moth - Subchapter 1 Voluntary Suppression Program |
NJ DEP Pesticide Control Program |
NJ DEP Applicator Businesses by types of Pest Control Performed
(open the link then click on "Applicator Businesses by Types of Pest Control Performed") |
Gypsy Moths in New Jersey |
How to Identify Gypsy Moth |
Egg masses appear as 1.5 inch (4 cm) tan or buff-coloured hairs on tree trunks, outdoor furniture or the sides buildings.
Gypsy moth caterpillars change appearance as they grow. Young caterpillars are black or brown and about ¼ inch (.6 cm) in length. As they grow, bumps develop along their backs along with coarse, black hairs. Each of the 11 sections of a developed caterpillar will have two coloured spots, the first five pairs, blue, and the last six, red. Mature caterpillars can be as long as 2 ½ inches (6.35 cm).
Gypsy moths are seen only in mid-summer. Males are grayish brown and can fly; females are larger, whitish with black marks and cannot fly. |
Pupae
Male
Female
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Information Sheet on Dimilin |
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Dimilin (also known as diflubenzuron) is an insecticide which interferes with chitin (outer-shell)
synthesis in insects. It kills larval (immature) insects by disrupting their growth. It is a white crystalline
solid with no odor and does not dissolve easily in water. It is used to control gypsy moth populations
in forest and recreational areas, and other insects in cotton, soybeans, mushrooms, and pastures. It is a
manufactured chemical and does not occur naturally in the environment. It has an extremely low vapor
pressure; therefore, exposure to substantial levels of Dimilin in air is unlikely.
HEALTH EFFECTS
No human health effects are likely from exposure to Dimilin as it is used in pesticide treatment
programs. Most of the information about the health effects of Dimilin comes from animal studies. Any
Dimilin absorbed or eaten by animals is quickly broken down and excreted, and does not accumulate in
the body. Complete excretion was found in mice, rats, cats, sheep, cows, pigs, and chickens.
At very high levels, Dimilin’s only direct effect is elevated levels of methemoglobin (an abnormal
blood pigment), which reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. However, this response
to exposure is reversible and would not be associated with any toxic effects at the levels used in pesticide
treatment programs.
Dimlin is not carcinogenic (causes cancer), mutagenic (causes genetic damage), or teratogenic
(causes birth defects) in animals or humans. Dimilin is not estrogenic (causes hormonal disruption) and
does not impair reproductive performance in animals.
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Dimilin enters the environment when it is applied to forest trees and agricultural crops as a
pesticide. Dimilin rapidly degrades into other chemicals in soil and water. Its half-life (50% degradation)
in soil is approximately 2-6 days and in water is 1-7 days. It sticks strongly to soil particles and
therefore does not leach to the ground water or evaporate easily into air. It also does not run off into
streams and rivers during rainstorms. Dimilin is not taken up by plant roots. It is persistent on leaf
surfaces and may remain in leaf litter at least 1 year after spraying. Dimilin primarily affects arthropods
whose immatures feed on leaves. It is highly toxic to juvenile life stages of aquatic crustaceans (
shrimps and water fleas) and many aquatic insects (mayflies and caddis flies). Adult insects are not
affected; however, their fecundity (ability to reproduce) may be affected. Animals such as cows, sheep,
goats, horses, birds, wildlife, large mammals, earthworms, honey bees, and mollusks are not affected
from exposure to Dimilin. Dimilin is not toxic to fish.
PREPARED BY: Ram K. Tripathi, Ph.D., Toxicologist
May 3, 1996 |
Things You Can Buy to Control Gypsy Moth |
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 Male Trap
Attract and kill the adult male gypsy moths |
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 Bug Band
a simple, cost-effective method to control a variety of damaging insect pests on your trees |
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 Biological Insecticide
BTK Biological Insecticide is a safe, easy-to-use and effective control for caterpillars including tent caterpillars, gypsy moths, spring and fall cankerworm, Spruce budworm, Jack Pine Budworm and other insects which infect shade trees, ornamentals and evergreens |
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 EPA Approved Eradicoat
Eradicoat® Succeeds Where Other Methods Fail |
The Eradicoat® Gypsy Moth Control System combines the familiar process of tree banding with a patented insecticide that produces the most effective control of the gypsy moth caterpillar on the market today.
The Eradicoat® Gypsy moth Insecticide is specially formulated to blend a well-known and effective pesticide (Permethrin) into a latex-based polymer. The result is a liquid, which applies and dries like a clear paint, but maintains the qualities of a highly effective insecticide. |
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 County Line Hardware
"These are just some of our most popular ways of combating gypsy moth destruction" |
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 New Egypt Agway
Homeowner Solutions for Gypsy Moth Infestation from New Egypt Agway |
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