Gypsy Moth Aerial Spray Program to Begin early May

Wet Spring Last Year Reduced Moth Population, 242 Acres to be Treated in 2010

ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 13, 2010) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) will begin an aerial spray program to treat two spray blocks on 242 acres of land in Talbot County (near McDaniel) to prevent forest defoliation caused by the gypsy moth. The treatment is expected to be completed in one day, likely during the first week of May, weather permitting.  Aerial applications usually occur between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.

“The gypsy moth is by far the most destructive pest of forest and shade trees in Maryland,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance. “We have a strong and effective suppression program that looks for damage through the year and treats infested areas when warranted in the spring to protect our valuable hardwood forests and neighborhood trees. We greatly appreciate the partnership of our local and federal partners in this effort.”

Both blocks will be sprayed with Foray 48B (active ingredient Bacillus thuringiensis) at one half gallon per acre. The application will be made by Helicopter Applicators, Inc. of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

A public meeting will be held in advance of the planned aerial spray program. The meeting will be held on Thursday, April 22 from 6-7 p.m. at the Maryland Department of Agriculture office on 317 Carter Avenue, Suite #100, Denton, MD 21639. All property owners in treatment areas, as well as those in surrounding areas, have been notified of the intent to treat the acreage in Talbot County.

Gypsy Moth Background

Gypsy moth populations collapsed throughout the mid-Atlantic region in 2009 as a result of the cold, wet spring weather. This weather is conducive to the gypsy moth fungus, Entomaphaga maimaiga, which kills the gypsy moth larvae (caterpillars). Caterpillars eat the leaves of oaks and other hardwoods from late April through June. Heavy populations of caterpillars will eat most or all leaves on a tree, potentially killing it. The first defoliation in Maryland occurred in 1980.

Since 1980, gypsy moth caterpillars have defoliated well nearly two million acres of valuable timber and residential trees in Maryland. Between 1982 and 2009, the MDA sprayed the trees on nearly 2 million acres statewide with an average effectiveness rate of over 98 percent. In 2004, only 660 acres were treated and none were treated in 2005. In 2006, populations increased and 25,454 acres were treated. In 2007, 50,173 acres were treated in 11 counties. In 2008, more than 99,000 acres were treated in 13 counties and Baltimore City – the highest since 1995. In 2009, 32,722 acres were treated.

The Cooperative Gypsy Moth Suppression Program is a partnership between MDA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, local jurisdictions and landowners. An Integrated Pest Management approach is used; beginning with extensive pest population surveys targeted at susceptible high value rural and urban forested areas of Maryland.

For more information about gypsy moths, the Suppression Program, to locate the two spray blocks, and learn what homeowners can do pro-actively to prevent gypsy moth damage on their properties, visit www.mda.state.md.us/go/gypsymoth. Residents may call 800-492-2105 or 2106 for access to spray schedules by block number.

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