Gypsy moth infects Hamilton Ontario

by Gavin_Cummings | April 15, 2008 at 04:51 pm | 1897 views | 17 comments

Hello this is Gavin Cummings reporting on the Gypsy Moth in Hamilton, Ontario.

The European Gypsy Moth is an introduced defoliating insect that is considered a major pest in North America. The caterpillar, or larva stage of the insect, eats the leaves of trees making them more susceptible to disease and damage from other insects.

A growing population of gypsy moths is reaching its peak potential for damage which experts say, if left unchecked, will result in severe defoliation, decline and loss of trees across the Hamilton area.

Due to the extent of the Gypsy Moth infestation in the Hamilton area, aerial spraying of the woodlots and parkland will be required.

The City of Hamilton's Public Works department, Hamilton Conservation Authority, and The Royal Botanical Gardens are proposing the aeriel spray application of the biological pesticide, BTK. Over areas including Ancaster, Flambro, Dundas, Glanbrook, West Hamilton, and also parts of Dundas Valley and Coot's Paradise to be effective on Gypsy Moth larva.

Two applications of this aerial spray must take place in mid to late May.

Members of the Hamilton community are shocked that they were left in the fog and are worried about the effects that BTK could have on their pets and children.

Open houses have been planned and I'm sure this won't be the last you hear about BTK or the Gypsy Moth.

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tjdelikat

at 05:57 on April 16th, 2008

My daughter & I happened upon this gypsy moth sunning himself on a park bench in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania (USA). I was able to capture this photo before he flew off. His wing span was a good 6 inches or more.

tjdelikat has contributed a photo to this story.

ingramlandc

at 21:51 on April 15th, 2008

Hi all, I am ingramlandc on flickr and a member of a local gypsy moth action group, a few of my photos have been used in this article which has prompted me to read it. Some of the photos used in this article are tent caterpillars and not gypsy moths. Gypsy moths do not make "nests" but rather leave "egg masses" which are shown in other photos. Thank you for your efforts in informing the public at large of this problem, as I am from Harpers Ferry, WV, to give you a grasp of the largeness of the situation.

ms061352

at 22:21 on April 15th, 2008

This oak, as well as most in Stokes State Forest and the surrounding area were completely stripped of leaves. Most recovered about 45% but the canopy was not the same. Also, no acorns grew on these trees.

ms061352 has contributed a photo to this story.

tgrt

at 22:45 on April 15th, 2008

This picture of the gypsy moth damage was taken along the Eastern Shore of Virginia at the Eastern Shore Wildlife Refuge.

tgrt has contributed a photo to this story.

zen

at 23:08 on April 15th, 2008

I have lived many different places on the east coast of the United States and there hasn't been one place that wasn't troubled by this invasive.

imarsman

at 23:13 on April 15th, 2008

Photo taken in Short Hills Provincial Park, summer 2007 with a Nikon D50, 60mm Micro Nikkor lens, onboard flash.

imarsman has contributed a photo to this story.

Napalm filled tires

at 00:14 on April 16th, 2008

thanks for using my photos. glad i could help. please leave a comment on those photo's pages with a link to this story. thank you.

Cowtools

at 08:49 on April 16th, 2008

We spotted lots of these at Harper's Ferry National Historical Park in June 2007. Later I found out they are gypsy moths.

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KLLippoldt

at 09:05 on April 16th, 2008

Gypsy moth caught on my window screen in Oswego, IL, USA.

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aristide

at 10:43 on April 16th, 2008

i don't think gypsy moths are dangerous, two or three years some of your trees will be a little bit bald but then they'll go away. we had them in vienna some years ago and now you'll have to look hard to find some of them. it's better to care for your environment in not using your car as often as possible than becoming hysterical!
kind regards from vienna
ari

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SpyFshy007

at 13:54 on April 16th, 2008

Taken in Harriman State Park, New York

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drachovit

at 14:10 on April 16th, 2008

Photo taken in northern MD near the Prettyboy Dam.

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jordan

at 16:32 on April 16th, 2008

good stuff:

Nice work, Gavin.

dusqweeze

at 16:09 on April 17th, 2008

We had 50 of these on our property, mostly on wild fruit trees.(choke cherry)

dusqweeze has contributed a photo to this story.

cybcomm

at 00:24 on April 18th, 2008

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jamie goldenberg

at 15:48 on April 20th, 2008

Gypsy moth caterpillar on a river birch in the Berkshires, Massachusetts

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De Shark

at 22:55 on May 1st, 2008

This photo was taken about 300 miles north of where I live earlier this season and now at this time the population in my area is overwhelming. You can't walk outside without stepping on them or have them drop onto your body within 10 feet of the front door. I will take more photos in the next week to show more of this infestation and some of the havoc these creatures bring.

De Shark has contributed a photo to this story.