FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, JAN. 28, 2008

NCDA&CS sets hearings on gypsy moth treatments

RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking input from residents in Caswell, Person and Warren counties concerning treatment options against the highly destructive gypsy moth.

Field monitoring activities conducted by the department last year determined that reproducing populations of the gypsy moth exist in these counties and represent a threat to hardwood trees.

The following meetings are scheduled:

• Tuesday, Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room at Northside Elementary School, 164 Elementary Drive, Norlina. This meeting is for the proposed treatment area near or associated with the Warren County site north of Wise.
• Tuesday, Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m. at Bartlett Yancey High School, 466 E. Main St., Yanceyville. This meeting is for the proposed treatment area near or associated with the Milton, Semora, Estelle and Blanch areas in Caswell County.

Gypsy moths feed on the leaves of hundreds of plant species, predominantly hardwood trees. When areas become heavily infested, trees may be completely stripped of foliage, leaving entire forests more susceptible to attacks from other pests.

NCDA&CS has addressed spot introductions of the gypsy moth in several areas across North Carolina since the 1970s. The department is working with eight other states through the Gypsy Moth Slow the Spread Foundation Inc. and with other state and federal agencies to reduce the expansion of the gypsy moth into uninfested areas of the state.

Options for dealing with gypsy moths include aerial spraying of biological pesticides and aerial applications of pheromone flakes. Trapping grids are used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments.

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