ODA Schedules Public Meetings on Gypsy Moth Program in Northeastern Ohio
REYNOLDSBURG - The Ohio Department of Agriculture is hosting a series of public meetings to increase the public's understanding of ODA's efforts to prevent further gypsy moth damage in northeastern Ohio. In the meetings, from Feb. 15 to March 2, ODA representatives will make a short presentation on the department's gypsy moth control program, including maps of this year's treatment areas, answer questions, and hear comments from local residents.
The gypsy moth has been advancing into Ohio from Pennsylvania over the last several years. In the past, the state's continued treatment efforts, in conjunction with a natural fungal pathogen, Entomophaga maimaiga, prevented the gypsy moth from becoming a severe problem. However, last year's drought prevented the development of the fungus, and gypsy moth populations in Northeastern Ohio exploded. The result was gypsy moth caterpillars defoliating over 48,000 acres of trees in Ohio last year.
ODA's gypsy moth egg mass surveys indicate that several sites in Ashland, Ashtabula, Coshocton, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, and Wayne counties are infested. At the request of area citizens, ODA is proposing that these areas be treated in May to help reduce the impact of the gypsy moth and to minimize the risk of its spread to non-infested portions of Ohio and other states.
"Aerial treatment for gypsy moths in infested areas is just one of ODA's three-part gypsy moth program," said Ohio Agriculture Director Fred L. Dailey. "ODA will be working in other areas of the state this year to slow the spread of the gypsy moth or attempt to eradicate it where it has appeared but has not yet become entrenched."
Gypsy Moth Open Houses
Feb. 15 6 - 8 p.m. Stan Hewitt Hall, Akron, Summit County
Feb. 16 6 - 8 p.m. OARDC Fisher Auditorium, Wooster, Wayne County
Feb. 17 6 - 8 p.m. Southington Town Hall, Southington, Trumbull County
Feb. 22 6 - 8 p.m. Hinckley Town Hall, Hinckley, Medina County
Feb. 28 4 - 6 p.m. Mohican State Park Lodge, Perrysville, Ashland County
March 1 6 - 8 p.m. Richfield Fellowship Hall, Richfield, Summit County
March 2 6 - 8 p.m. Brecksville Community Center, Brecksville, Cuyahoga County
The public is invited to attend any of the meetings in their area. For more information on ODA's gypsy moth program, contact program coordinator Alison Marcum at 1-800-282-1955.