First Detectors Early Detection

Pheromone Lure Traps Male moths are caught as they try to find a mate Sticky interior

First Detectors 2006-2011 Trap Catch Trends

201120102009

200820072006

First Detectors

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

118 535 3911310

412

3608

12255

27,870

42425659

Gypsy Moth in Minnesota

Counts increase as main population nears Population growth increasing Meteorological explanation?

First Detectors

“Ballooning of larvae”

Populations expand 1¼ miles per year due to larval dispersal

Natural ArtificialTourism

Nursery stock

Household moves

How Do Gypsy Moths Spread?

Life stages are transported by humans 13-16 miles per year

First Detectors Predators and Pathogens

Entomophaga maimaiga NPV (nucleopolyhedrosis virus)

Mammals Birds Amphibians Invertebrates NPV

E. maimaiga

First Detectors

Factors That Influence Spread Rates

Early season temperatures & larval survival

Wind events & larval dispersal

Habitat & host abundance

Spring rains & disease incidence

Predator habitat & predation rates

PEOPLE through artificial introductions

First Detectors

Population Stage

Management Strategy

Management Goal

General infestation

Suppression To protect high value resources by reducing outbreak populations

Building Slow the Spread To reduce the population peaks beginning to coalesce along the “front”

Pre-Infestation Eradication To eliminate isolated outlier populations

National Gypsy Moth Management

First Detectors Management Options

Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) Common soil bacterium toxic to GM caterpillars Halts feeding

Disparlure (mating disruption) Targets adults Reduces mating success

Diflubenzuron Interferes with molting Often used in nursery settings

Treatments in Minnesota have kept gypsy moth in check since 1980!