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Gypsy Moth
Mating Disruption Treatments begin in So. Ohio
REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (June 9, 2016)– The Ohio Department of Agriculture
will begin aerial treatments designed to disrupt gypsy moth mating on
113,184 acres in Athens, Hocking, Perry, Morgan, Ross and Vinton
counties.
To help protect Ohio’s diverse habitat, the Ohio Department of
Agriculture operates multiple programs aimed at managing the gypsy moth
in Ohio. One such program, the Slow-the-Spread program, focuses on
monitoring, detecting, and reducing isolated populations to slow the
gypsy moth’s movement across the state through treatments.
Airplanes will fly 100-200 feet above the tree tops to apply the
treatment throughout the day. Weather permitting, treatments will begin
in southern Ohio near the end of the week of June 13th and occur over
four or five days.
In all counties receiving treatment, the department will use a single
application of the product Disrupt II. This product does not kill the
moth, but it disrupts the mating process by confusing the male as it
searches for a female mate. Disrupt II is not harmful to birds, plants,
pets or humans.
Pre-recorded daily updates about planned treatment blocks are available
to citizens by calling 614-387-0907 or 800-282-1955 ext.37, after 5 p.m.
The gypsy moth is a non-native, invasive species that feeds on the
leaves of more than 300 different trees and shrubs and is especially
fond of oak. A healthy tree can usually withstand only two years of
defoliation before it is permanently damaged or dies. To date, 51 of
Ohio’s 88 counties have established gypsy moth populations.
For more information on the gypsy moth, including maps of treatment
areas and videos of the mating disruption process, please visit
http://www.agri.ohio.gov/divs/plant/gypsy/gypsy-index.aspx
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