Gypsy Moth Treatment Planned For New Lenox

NEW LENOX, IL—The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced plans to begin treating parts of northern Illinois for the destructive Gypsy Moth approximately June 25 and June 26, weather permitting. Each year, the department works with the United States Forest Service to treat for this destructive pest.

The gypsy moth is a non-native pest that feasts on more than 250 species of trees and
shrubs, but its preferred food source is oak leaves. Large populations are capable of stripping plants bare, leaving them vulnerable to secondary insect and disease attacks. Severe defoliation also can cause tree death.

The treatments, identified below in Table 1, will receive a pheromone application also known as Mating Disruption. The treatments will take place in parts of JoDaviess, Kendall, Ogle and Will Counites and will cover an area of approximately 24,684 acres. The pheromone product, Splat GM-Organic, serves as a sexual attractant that confuses male gypsy moths and prevents them from breeding. This is an aerial application using yellow ‘Air – tractor’ airplanes. The product used is organic, and biodegradable made entirely of food grade materials. It is not harmful to humans, pets, wildlife, nor other insects.

Maps of the treatment sites are posted on the Department’s website at www.agr.state.il.us. A list of the impacted sites and their scheduled treatments follows:

Male gypsy moths are brown with black markings and have a wingspan of an inch-and-a-half. Female gypsy moths are slightly larger and typically white or cream-colored. The females cannot fly because of the weight of their eggs. Unlike the emerald ash borer, another non-native pest which feeds exclusively on ash trees, the gypsy moth is not a picky eater. It will devour almost anything leafy and green.

Anyone with questions regarding the gypsy moth treatment schedule are urged to contact the Department of Agriculture’s DeKalb field office at (815) 787-5476.

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