Gypsy Moths Threaten Trees in Southern Connecticut

The gypsy moth could be back with a vengeance. The population has been on the rise for the last three years, threatening trees in Southern Connecticut. 

“One hundred seventy six acres defoliated in 2015 and 204,000 acres defoliated in 2016," state entomologist Kirby Stafford said. 

They’re tiny to start, but each egg casing contains 600 to 2,000 caterpillars that will eat all the leaves off a single tree before the summer has even started. 

“They’re very pretty, one by one, but when they’re in masses, crawling over your house and home, cars and trees, they’re a problem,” Christopher Martin, the division of forestry director for the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, said. 

A new aerial map of last year’s defoliation matched up with the egg masses located by DEEP forecasts the risk of it happening again in 2017. 

“We’re expecting a really big gypsy moth outbreak," Stafford said. 

The reason is simple: not enough rain. 

“The fungus needs moisture,” DEEP Urban Forestry coordinator Chris Donnelly said. 

That fungus will destroy the leaf-devouring caterpillar of the gypsy moth. 

“If it rains at the right time, those spores will germinate and start infecting the caterpillars," Stafford added. 

Gypsy moths have been in Connecticut for 150 years and experts said there’s not much property owners can do to prevent them. It’s mostly up to Mother Nature. 

Landowners can try to remove each of the egg casings off the bark of the tree or hire a licensed arborist to spray the trees. 

“People are concerned about their trees in the forest. So, if this is the second or third year of defoliation, you may want to talk about preventative action, or they may choose, if the tree’s healthy, wait it out," Martin said. 

Officials from DEEP said peak defoliation will be visible by the end of May or beginning of June. 

Without leaves, trees are also more susceptible to fire, especially during a drought.

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