Gypsy Moth Management

In North America, the current gypsy moth range covers all of the northeastern United States, part of the Southeast and Midwest, and sections of eastern Canada. The gypsy moth’s range is expanding at a rate of about 21 kilometers a year Scientists are working to slow this expansion, using a number of methods.

The gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, is a devastating forest pest. It feeds on the foliage of hundreds of plant species in NorthAmerica, but most commonly on oaks and aspen. In heavily infested areas, trees may become completely defoliated.

Eradication
In areas without established gypsy moth populations, pheromone traps are used so detect new populations. State and federal agencies can then work together to eradicate any newly detected infestations. Eradication methods can include chemical or biological pesticides and mass-trapping.

Suppression
The worst effects of gypsy moths occur at high population densities. In areas that are already highly infested, suppressing the population as much as possible can minimize damage to trees. This is usually accomplished using ground applications of pesticides to individual trees, and aerial application of pesticides to larger areas.

Biological Control
In an effort to minimize the use of pesticides, research scientists are focusing on the gypsy moth’s natural enemies. Some, such as birds, do not have a substantial effect on populations. However, the following natural agents can cause considerable mortality:

insect parasitoids and predators
small mammals, including deer mice and shrews
wilt, a disease caused by the nucleopolyhedrosis virus
an entomopathogenic fungus species

They are also trying to develop ways to increase the effectiveness of natural enemies that are already established in the gypsy moth’s range. Scientists are searching for other natural enemies that could be introduced for control purposes.

Silviculture
The term “silviculture” refers to the development and care of trees. The silvicultural methods used to prevent infestations are based on the assumption that forests are less vulnerable to gypsy moths when they consist of trees that gypsy moths don't like. Silvicultural methods include removing trees preferred by the gypsy moth, and removing trees that are in such poor condition that they are likely to die as a result of defoliation.

For more information, contact your name.