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It's a good year for the state in its annual battle with gypsy moths but not quite as good when it comes to Japanese beetle, another invasive insect species detected in Oregon: 
 
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Audio 01
While populations of gypsy moth have been low the past couple of years, Japanese beetle activity has increased, according to entomologist Barry Bai (Bye) of the Oregon Department of Agriculture: 

BAI: "This year, we are not going to have a gypsy moth eradication project because last year's detection program statewide did not detect any gypsy moths." :12

 

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Audio 02
This is three years in a row without a gypsy moth spray project in Oregon, which has been nearly an annual event since the 1980s. Despite the break, officials say its way too early to claim gypsy moth is no longer a threat to Oregon. Meanwhile, a record high 34 Japanese beetles were detected last year in three different areas of the state, including Portland International Airport: 

BAI: "Last year in 2011, we found about 16 or so beetles at the airport and surrounding area, and we found four beetles in Troutdale, and we found 14 down in Cave Junction." :17

 

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Treatments will take place in all three areas this spring- when the beetle as a grub feeds off lawns and turf- and this summer when the adults fly and feed off foliage and trees. Once again this year, traps will be placed around the state to detect all sorts of insect pests, including gypsy moth and Japanese beetle. In Salem, I'm Bruce Pokarney.


Additional audio: Audio 03
BAI says gypsy moth activity in Oregon recently has been very quiet as detections are way down. Last year, no gypsy moths were trapped: 

"For three years, we have not had a gypsy moth eradication. This will be the third year in a row." :07

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Additional audio: Audio 04
BAI describes the treatment plans for Japanese beetle, which has been found in three separate areas of Oregon. Those plans involve using a granular pesticide in the spring and a pesticide spray in the summer: 

"We want to do a one-two punch for Japanese beetle. Punch number one will be targeting the grub state, the larval stage. And then punch number two is targeting the adult stage of Japanese beetle. When they emerge out as adults, they can fly around and they can chew on the foliage and the trees." :20

 

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Full story
 
http://oregon.gov/ODA/Pages/news/120328insect_pests.aspx