The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority would like landowners to check their trees for Gypsy Moth caterpillar eggs.
OXFORD COUNTY - The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority is removing Gypsy Moth egg masses from local trees.
The UTRCA does this to protect trees and shrubs from the invasive insects. UTRCA Land Manager Technician Brandon Marys says this years Gypsy Moth caterpillars will hatch in the spring.
“Yesterday, UTRCA staff scraped Gypsy Moth eggs off of trees in the campground at Wildwood Conservation Area, near St. Marys. We’ve created a how-to video that shows people how they can help stop this invasive species by removing egg masses from trees on their own property.”
Gyspy Moths can quickly defoliate trees and shrubs. If it happens in back to back years, it can weaken trees and make them susceptible to other stressers. UTRCA Forester John Enright says landowners should be on high alert for the pesky insects.
“We want to alert people to these non-native threats to trees and shrubs. We hope that landowners will take measures to protect the trees and shrubs on their own property.”
A mature Gypsy Moth caterpillar is approximately 6 cm long, and can be identified by the pairs of dots along its back – five pairs of blue dots, followed by six pairs of red dots. The caterpillars feed mainly on deciduous trees and shrubs. Their favourite foods include oak, maple, birch, and serviceberry. The young caterpillars will hang from trees on silk threads and can be carried long distances by the wind.
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