Gypsy Moth

ANNAPOLIS Sometimes, the best way to get rid of a bug is to just zap it. Gov. Robert Ehrlich announced this week that the state will treat 25,500 acres of land in eight counties, including Washington, for gypsy moth infestation. Aerial spraying of the affected areas will begin next month, according to Bob Tichenor, chief of forest pest management for the Maryland Department of Agriculture. All affected landowners already have been notified, Tichenor said. The Cooperative Gypsy Moth Suppression Program expects to treat 2,851 acres in Washington County, mainly in the far eastern and far western areas of the county.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - They entered the country through Massachusetts more than a century ago, were first spotted in Pennsylvania in the 1930s and devastated millions of acres of woodlands in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Gypsy moth caterpillars were back in force this spring, munching their way through hundreds of thousands of acres of oaks, other hardwoods and even coniferous trees. The damage has been done for this year - the caterpillars have metamorphosed into moths - but homeowners whose properties have been infested can take steps now to suppress the voracious insects.

ANNAPOLIS -- A bipartisan group of lawmakers is proposing a task force to study gypsy moth infestation and ways to control it before it gets any worse, but arborists and environmentalists want to be better represented. The Maryland Department of Agriculture said gypsy moths are the most destructive forest pests in Maryland. The moths, which eat the leaves on hardwood trees in May and June, have affected more than 1 million acres since 1980. "It literally looks like a war zone once they come through," said American Joe Miedusiewski, a lobbyist for the Maryland Arborist Association.

Brace yourself. This is expected to be a bad year for gypsy moths. Last year, they rebounded after 20 years of low numbers to strip significant patches of forest and vex homeowners. Gypsy moth caterpillars have tremendous appetites. These "walking stomachs" can strip a large tree of its leaves in days. Oaks are their favorite entreé, but they will dine on birch, apple, willow, sweet gum, linden, hawthorne, Colorado spruce and other trees. Scientifically known as Lymantria dispar, gypsy moths do the most damage in areas heavily forested with their favorite trees.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Franklin County is working with state and federal agencies to spray for gypsy moths next spring. "If you had (gypsy moth) caterpillars this year and defoliation, let us know," said Sherri Clayton, senior planner with the county Planning Office. The deadline is Aug. 17. If your trees have been hit and you're interested in having them sprayed next spring, contact the planning department by e-mail at planning@co.franklin.pa.us

CUMBERLAND, Md. - Dave Cohen and three co-workers returned to their state Department of Agriculture office here Monday from the war zones of Western Maryland. Cohen, the agency's entomologist for western Washington County, and all of Allegany and Garrett counties, together with three inspectors have been directing an aerial assault on newly-hatched gypsy moths found in more than 16,000 acres of woodland in the area. The moths, in their caterpillar stage now, are voracious eating machines, devouring leaves and killing trees from late April through June.

On Thursday, March 14, at the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association meeting, Sharon Coons and Nathan Fite, foresters with the Pennsylvania bureau of forestry, will talk about diseases and insect pests threatening Pennsylvania forests. Information for woodland owners on identification and methods for controlling forest insect pests such as Gypsy Moth, Hemlock Wooly Adelgid, Emerald Ash Borer, Tent Caterpillars, Scale Insects, and Weevils will be presented. The meeting will be at 7 p.m., at the Penn State Extension office, 181 Franklin Farm Lane in Chambersburg.

Gypsy moth spraying CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - The deadline for applications for gypsy moth spraying in Franklin County next spring has been extended to Tuesday, Sept. 15. Residents of Franklin County who experienced defoliation in 2009, and want to be considered for spraying next year, should contact the Extension Office at 717-263-9226, or e-mail rce11@psu.edu . Fall garden tour CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - The Penn State Master Gardeners in Franklin County will hold a Fall Garden Tour Sunday, Sept.

Today - MDA Gypsy Moth Suppression Open House, 6:30 p.m., Washington County Extension office. March 20 - Nutrient Management Voucher Training, 10 a.m. to noon, Washington County Extension office. Call 301-791-1304 to register. March 20 - Private Applicator Rectification, 1 to 3 p.m., Washington County Extension office. Call 301-791-1304 to register. March 21 - 4-H Dairy Club, 7:30 p.m., Washington County Extension office. April 3 - Beginning Beekeepers Shortcourse (April 3,10, 17 and 24)