Gypsy moth open house a success

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009

Updated: Friday, June 5, 2009

On January 15, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the city of Minnetonka hosted an open house targeted for residents in the proposed gypsy moth treatment area.

On January 15, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the city of Minnetonka hosted an open house targeted for residents in the proposed gypsy moth treatment area. Residents in the 303-acre area, located south of Highway 7 between Williston Road and Interstate 494, were sent a direct mailing with details on the proposed treatments and an invitation to the open house.

In spite of frigid weather, 40 residents and interested public showed up to learn more about the gypsy moth. Although the MDA is the lead agency charged with handling gypsy moth detection and treatments in the state, there were representatives from partnering agencies on site to answer any questions including the city of Minnetonka natural resources division, US Forest Service, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and the Minnesota Department of Health. Displays showing the moth’s lifecycle, traps taken from the field with actual male gypsy moths in them, and a video addressing the gypsy moth eradication were a few of the exhibits for residents to see.

The aerial treatments to eradicate gypsy moth in the 303 acre area in Minnetonka will occur in May 2009. The biological insecticide Bacillus thuringienisis var. kurstaki (Btk) will be used, the active ingredient is a crystalline protein formed by naturally occurring bacteria found in soil and plants that becomes toxic when eaten by certain caterpillars. Btk is not active in humans or mammals, is approved for use in organic farming and numerous studies have documented the safety of Btk for humans, pets and other species. Btk is naturally broken down in sunlight so two applications about a week apart are needed to be sure the early and late hatching caterpillars are exposed to the treatments.

Gypsy moth is a non-native invasive insect pest whose caterpillars voraciously defoliate many species of trees, including oaks. Gypsy moth populations move naturally, but they can spread much farther and faster with the help of human transportation, such as firewood movement. In 1912, USDA declared gypsy moth a federally regulated pest and has since quarantined all or parts of 19 states. It is established in many eastern states and as close as eastern Wisconsin.

Since 2002, the MDA has eliminated gypsy moth infestations in Minneapolis, Golden Valley, Edina and Brooklyn Park. Residents in the treatment areas will be contacted directly by the MDA regarding exact treatment dates, but there will also be press releases made through various media outlets to keep the public up to speed. The city of Richfield will also be undergoing treatment this spring.

The next steps are contacting tree contractors to encourage them not to move wood in the 303 acre area until treatments are complete, and continuing to build public awareness of the pest via events like the Minnetonka Eco Fair.

If you have questions regarding the proposed treatments, contact the MDA’s “Arrest the Pest” hotline at 651.MOTH.6684.

If you are interested in learning more about gypsy moth in Minnetonka, visit the Gypsy Moths page.

Learn more about the MDA’s program.