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| Gypsy moth detections increase in Oregon this year | ||
| 10/25/2006 | ||
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A total of 66 gypsy moths trapped statewide After a couple of years of a relatively low number of gypsy moth detections in Oregon , activity has picked up following this summer's statewide trapping program. A total of 66 gypsy moths were found in traps throughout the state- up from only nine detections in 2005. For only the third time in 26 years, there was no gypsy moth eradication project in Oregon this spring. This year's results are more typical. It is likely that the Oregon Department of Agriculture will propose at least two sites for eradication projects in the spring of 2007, including one in Bend and one in St. Helens. "The Oregon Department of Agriculture has placed a high priority on detecting gypsy moth introductions early and eradicating them quickly before they have a chance to spread," says Kathleen Johnson, supervisor of ODA's Insect Pest Prevention and Management Program. By finding gypsy moths as soon as possible and quickly eliminating breeding populations, ODA has successfully prevented economic and environmental losses to Oregon, either by restrictive quarantines on commodities or by the loss of foliage and even trees due to expanding gypsy moth populations. Results in recent years are a far cry from 20 years ago, when some 19,000 gypsy moths were trapped in Lane County alone. "The two infestations we have- one in Bend and one in St. Helens- point out the importance of an early detection program," says Johnson. "Either site has the potential to spread throughout Oregon, damaging our trees, our agriculture, our environment, and our quality of life." Of the 66 gypsy moths trapped in Oregon this year, 57 were detected in a residential area of Bend, in central Oregon. This follows the detection of a single moth in Bend last year. A higher density of traps was placed in the area this year and the result is conclusive- a breeding population of gypsy moths has been established at that location. Never before have so many gypsy moths been trapped east of the Oregon Cascades. ODA survey technicians searched the area to try and pinpoint the infestation. They were able to recover live female gypsy moths and locate egg masses. Followup searches took place on one property believed to be ground zero for the gypsy moth infestation. What was discovered surprised ODA officials. "The property owner had imported a 1967 Chevy from Connecticut via the e-bay Web site," says Johnson. "We found numerous egg masses, pupal cases, and other gypsy moth life stages on the carcass of the Chevy, on nearby apple trees, under rocks, and even under metal sheathing." There is little doubt that the gypsy moth originated from a contaminated item purchased over the internet. European gypsy moth- the kind most commonly found in Oregon- normally enters the state by hitching a ride on vehicles or outdoor household articles originating from infested areas of the northeastern U.S. Usually those vectors are traced back to people who move to or visit Oregon from infested areas back east. In this case, the property owner had never stepped foot in an infested area. "This is a new pathway for the introduction of gypsy moth to Oregon," says Johnson. "Now as we try and track down new introductions, we'll have to ask if someone has purchased something that might have come from an infested area of the eastern United States." Any doubts about gypsy moths surviving the arid climate of central Oregon can be put to rest. Although pine and juniper plant species dominate east of the Cascades, residential neighborhoods of Bend are full of broad-leaf trees and shrubs- the kinds of plants enjoyed by gypsy moth caterpillars. The other major detection site of concern this year is St. Helens, situated on the Columbia River. Only one moth was trapped, but it was genetically identified as an Asian gypsy moth- only the third time the Asian variety has been detected in Oregon. "The Asian gypsy moth poses an even greater threat to Oregon than the European gypsy moth because the females can fly, which is not the case with female European gypsy moths," says Johnson. "This allows an infestation to spread much more rapidly. In addition, Asian gypsy moth caterpillars have a wider appetite for host material found in Oregon, including conifers." Areas of the Columbia River are at greater risk for the introduction of Asian gypsy moth due to cargo ships arriving from infested areas in Asia. At this point, it appears ODA will recommend gypsy moth eradication programs for both Bend and St. Helens, proposing an aerial application of the biological insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk)- a naturally-occuring bacteria that has been used safely and successfully in past gypsy moth eradication projects. Public information meetings will be scheduled early next year in both Bend and St. Helens to explain the gypsy moth problem and ODA's proposed eradication projects. The other seven sites of gypsy moth detections in Oregon this year are not expected to result in any recommended eradication efforts as there is not enough evidence as yet to pinpoint an infestation. That includes Portland (3 moths detected), Eugene (1 moth), Damascus in Clackamas County (1 moth), Shady Cove in Jackson County (2 moths), and O'Brien in Josephine County (1 moth). Shady Cove and Eugene are repeat sites as gypsy moths were also detected in 2005. All sites where gypsy moths were detected this year will receive extra attention next spring as a higher density of traps are placed in those areas. It is impossible to predict what the state's gypsy moth situation will be in 2007. But one thing is for certain- Oregon has a zero tolerance policy for the invasive gypsy moth. As a result, early detection and eradication of gypsy moth infestations will continue to be the goals of the Oregon Department of Agriculture. For more information, contact Kathleen Johnson at (503) 986-4662. Story of the Week pdf version http://oregon.gov/ODA/docs/pdf/news/061025gypsy_moth.pdf Audio Story of the Week http://oregon.gov/ODA/news/061025gypsy_moth_audio.shtml |
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