McMaster joins fight against gypsy moths to save trees

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/gypsy-moth.jpg” caption=”A female gypsy moth lays an egg mass. Photo courtesy of Marvin Gunderman.”]Despite intensive manual elimination of gypsy moth egg cases by grounds staff, the tenacious insects seem to have targeted many of the most mature and valuable trees on campus.

To combat the infestation, McMaster will proceed with a helicopter application of Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk) to the campus perimeter around Mayfair, through the 10-acre field and behind Les Prince Hall to Whidden Hall.

The application will take place May 23 or 24 and is weather dependent. A second application will take place three to 10 days later, again weather permitting.

Also affected are half a dozen trees in central campus, which will receive a ground application to control the insects.

“This application is prudent to prevent extensive defoliation of some of the most mature and valuable trees on campus,” said grounds manager Barb Rabicki.

The species affected include oak, beech and cherry. Earlier this spring, grounds crews could be seen in ladders painstakingly scraping off the egg cases in an attempt to stem the spread of the insects.

McMaster is joining with several neighbourhoods and organizations in Ancaster and West Flamborough, as well as communities in Toronto and Mississauga, for the application by Pestalto Environmental Health Services Inc.

For more information about the private aerial spray program, visit www.pestalto.com.

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[img_inline align="right" src="http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/gypsy-moth.jpg" caption="A female gypsy moth lays an egg mass. Photo courtesy of Marvin Gunderman."]Despite intensive manual elimination of gypsy moth egg cases by grounds staff, the tenacious insects seem to have targeted many of the most mature and valuable trees on campus.  <br />
<br />
<p>To combat the infestation, McMaster will proceed with a helicopter application of Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk) to the campus perimeter around Mayfair, through the 10-acre field and behind Les Prince Hall to Whidden Hall. <br />
<br />
<p>The application will take place May 23 or 24 and is weather dependent.  A second application will take place three to 10 days later, again weather permitting.<br />
<br />
<p>Also affected are half a dozen trees in central campus, which will receive a ground application to control the insects.<br />
<br />
<p>"This application is prudent to prevent extensive defoliation of some of the most mature and valuable trees on campus," said grounds manager Barb Rabicki.  <br />
<br />
<p>The species affected include oak, beech and cherry.  Earlier this spring, grounds crews could be seen in ladders painstakingly scraping off the egg cases in an attempt to stem the spread of the insects.<br />
<br />
 <br />
<br />
McMaster is joining with several neighbourhoods and organizations in Ancaster and West Flamborough, as well as communities in Toronto and Mississauga, for the application by Pestalto Environmental Health Services Inc.<br />
<br />
 <br />
<br />
For more information about the private aerial spray program, visit www.pestalto.com.

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