Controlling Gypsy Moth Outbreak (糖心直播, March 3, 2021)
March 3, 2021 –聽The 糖心直播 (UTRCA) is currently removing Gypsy Moth egg masses from trees on Conservation Authority property to help protect trees and shrubs from the invasive聽insects. This year鈥檚 generation of Gypsy Moth caterpillars will hatch in the spring.
鈥淵esterday,聽UTRCA staff scraped Gypsy Moth eggs off of trees in the campground at Wildwood Conservation Area, near St. Marys,鈥� said Brandon Williamson, UTRCA Land Management Technician Brandon. 鈥淲e鈥檝e created a how-to video that shows people how they can help stop this invasive species by removing egg masses from trees on their own property.鈥�
Gypsy Moth caterpillars can quickly defoliate trees and shrubs. If this happens in successive years, it can be weaken trees and make them susceptible to other stressors.
鈥淲e want to alert people to these non-native threats to trees and shrubs,鈥� explained John Enright, UTRCA Forester. 鈥淲e hope that landowners will take measures to protect the trees and shrubs on their own property.鈥�
A mature Gypsy Moth caterpillar聽is approximately 6 cm long, and can be identified by the pairs of dots along its back 鈥� five pairs of blue dots, followed by six pairs of red dots. The caterpillars feed mainly on the leaves of deciduous trees and shrubs. Their favourite foods include oak, maple, birch, and serviceberry. The young caterpillars聽will hang from trees on silk threads and can be carried long distances by the wind.
UTRCA staff have also removed more than 8,000 egg masses from the City of London鈥檚 Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs). The UTRCA manages the ESAs under contract for the City of London.
Contact: Brandon Williamson, Land Management Technician, or John Enright, Forester