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shadowplay
06-24-2009, 06:28 PM
Campbell relayed the following information to the SGMC from the WVDA regarding the positive (or negative, if you are a gypsy moth) effect that the heavy rainfall of this spring has had on their population. Indeed, spraying this year did not turn out to have been necessary. Determination of whether to spray next year will come from the official survey, still to be done in the fall.


Our WVDA Field Representative drove through our community last week and checked for gypsy moth larvae. This was not the official survey that is done in the fall and SGMC will be putting in an application for that. What he found was encouraging. Although we did experience significant blow in at several locations, he found almost no caterpillars without the fungus or the virus that kills them. The heaviest infestation seemed to be from Grey Fox to the east/north east all the way to the northeast border. He saw no significant defoliation and the population was definitely collapsing.
Thanks!

Fuddy
06-24-2009, 11:30 PM
I like encouraging news! Thanks.

TokyoHits
06-25-2009, 10:22 AM
Thank you for the update!

itsapyr
06-27-2009, 09:40 AM
That is great news...All of the ones I am seeing have turned to mush on their own and the others we are helping along that same path.:thumbsup:

shadowplay
06-27-2009, 11:03 AM
All of the ones I am seeing have turned to mush on their own :thumbsup:

That is mom nature's wonder fungus at work. A definite advantage of having a wet spring. :)

campbell
06-27-2009, 07:25 PM
I do a rain dance every spring and this time it worked :)
It really has helped for people to report to me what they are seeing on their property. Then I can relay it to the folks at WV Dept. of Agriculture. I might add that they are a terrific group and really go the extra mile for us. I passed on to them the reports I had been getting from landowners, mainly in the northeast section of the survey block, and they came up to check it out and gave me immediate feedback.
If only we could get the folks to the northeast of us to treat, then we wouldn't keep having this blow in situation.
Oh well, for now, all is good!! Thanks to all that have contributed and provided support in other ways. Its been a tremendous help.