The Threat :
Gypsy moth is a destructive, exotic forest pest that was accidentally introduced into the United States in 1869. It is currently established throughout the northeast and parts of the upper mid-west (red shaded area on maps).
- It feeds on over 300 species of trees but oaks are most preferred.
- 75 million acres have been defoliated by gypsy moth since 1970.
- Gypsy moth defoliation causes extensive tree mortality, reduces property values, adversely affects commerce and causes allergic reactions in sensitive individuals that come in contact with the caterpillars.
- Most (almost 70%) of the susceptible hardwood forests in the United States have not been infested by gypsy moth and are still at risk.
The Current Proactive Strategy
Since Congress funded the Slow the Spread Program (STS) in the year 2000, ten states located along the leading edge of gypsy moth populations, in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service, have implemented a region-wide strategy to minimize the rate at which gypsy moth spreads into uninfested areas. As a direct result of this program, spread has been dramatically reduced by more than 70% from the historical level of 13 miles per year to 3 miles per year. In just 6 years, this program has prevented the impacts that would have occurred on more than 40 million newly infested acres.
The Benefits
- STS reduces spread of this destructive pest to 3 miles per year, which will prevent infestation of more than 150 million acres over the next 20 years (compare maps).
- STS protects the extensive urban and wildland hardwood forests in the south and upper mid-west.
- STS protects the environment through the use of gypsy moth specific treatment tactics.
- STS unifies the partners and promotes a well coordinated, region-wide action based on biological need.
- STS yields a benefit to cost ratio of more than 4 to 1 by delaying the onset of impacts that occur as gypsy moth invades new areas.
Copyright 2007 - Gypsy Moth Slow the
Spread Foundation, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
|
STS Newsletter