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News Release 8-20-2001 |
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GYPSY MOTH CATERPILLARS DEFOLIATE 603,627 ACRES OF FORESTLAND IN WEST VIRGINIA Agriculture Commissioner Gus R. Douglass has announced that approximately 603,627 acres of forestland were defoliated by the gypsy moth in West Virginia during May and June. This is over twice the amount of defoliation as last year and was the most forestland ever defoliated by gypsy moth in West Virginia. Commissioner Douglass said that approximately 137,000 acres were treated in the generally infested areas of the state under the Cooperative State-County-Landowner (CSCL) Gypsy Moth Suppression Program. Another 228,992 acres qualified for treatment, but landowners either chose not to participate or the land managers chose not to take any action. Hacker said there has been an increase in the gypsy moth population over the last two years. The extremely dry conditions during 1998 and 1999 were not favorable for the gypsy moth fungus that had been responsible for reducing populations during the mid-to-late 90s. Field staff did find evidence of the fungus in several of the defoliated areas during June, but it was too late and not widespread enough to prevent heavy defoliation and female moths from laying egg masses. Douglass reminded landowners that the 2002 CSCL Program sign up for aerial gypsy moth suppression is underway until the end of August. Landowners are asked to contact their county extension agent and sign up as soon as possible if they want their property considered for treatment in 2002. For more information, contact the WVDA Plant Industries Division, Forest Health Protection at 304/558-2212, or its field offices at New Creek, 304/788-1066, Moorefield, 304/538-2397 or Elkins, 304/637-0290. |
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©2001, 2002 West Virginia Department of Agriculture, All Rights Reserved |
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