Second Run Complete on Gypsy Moth Spraying

The 1998 cooperative Gypsy Moth spraying and trapping program got underway in Salt Lake County May 19, as approximately 1,000 acres of trees and brush were successfully treated for a small infestation of Gypsy Moth. The first and second of three aerial applications of the biological insecticide BT were sprayed over areas in Little Cottonwood Canyon and Knudsen's Corner in Salt Lake County.

"The first two applications went very smoothly. We are pleased with what we are seeing," said Dick Wilson, Director of the UDAF's Division of Plant Industry and Assistant Project Director.

"We are also pleased with the cooperation from the people in the application area," Wilson added.

The program was initiated this year after 47 gypsy moths were detected in three locations in Salt Lake County in 1997, indicating a growing population. Left untreated, the populations would be expected to greatly multiply, causing substantial economic and environmental damage in Utah.

"This is an important and safe program that will do a lot to protect the foliage in Salt Lake County, and in the rest of the state," said John Anhold, USDA Forest Service State Entomologist and Protect Team Leader. "We have worked very closely with the residents in the spray areas and we are glad they understand and support the project."

The compound BT will also rid the spray areas of the Fall Canker Worm, an insect whose numbers are up this year. Several residents in the application areas spoke positively of the program, thanking project coordinators for providing a valued service. The project's information team also responded to calls from residents who believed the BT triggered an allergic reaction. Those individuals were referred to local allergy clinic for assistance.

BACKGROUND

The cooperative gypsy moth eradication program is using an integrated pest management approach that includes mass trappings and three aerial treatments using the naturally occurring material Bacillus thuringiensis, known as BT. BT is a biological insecticide that is only effective on caterpillar larva at a precise stage of development.

A total of 916 acres in two separate locations in Salt Lake County are targeted for aerial spraying. Of the 916 acres, 764 acres are state and private property located near Knudsen's corner, the remaining 152 acres are composed of 115 acres of National Forest Lands and 42 acres of private property in the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon.

This will be the sixth time since 1989 that the state has undertaken a gypsy moth control program. The 916 acres involved in this latest program represents the smallest number of acres treated in the state. Previous programs have treated a total of 70,000 acres.

The cooperative gypsy moth eradication program includes: the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food's Division of Plant Industry, the USDA Forest Service, USDA-Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the Utah Department of Natural Resource's Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, Utah State University Extension Service, the Salt Lake City/County Health Department, as well as other agencies and local community councils.

Posted 29 May, 1998