Penn State Ag Sciences Newsline -- June 12, 2007
Gypsy moth resurgence calls for quick backyard action (:50)
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Suggested Intro:
THEY'RE BACK! AFTER ALMOST 10 YEARS, GYPSY MOTHS ARE AGAIN RAVAGING THE MID-ATLANTIC'S FORESTS AND SHADE TREES. A PENN STATE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION EXPERT SAYS HOMEOWNERS SHOULD BE READY TO FIGHT FOR THEIR FOLIAGE, ONE TREE AT A TIME. GARY ABDULLAH HAS THE STORY:
Story:
((:20) GYPSY MOTHS HAVE BEEN SPOTTED IN INCREASING NUMBERS IN THE POCONOS, NORTHEASTERN COUNTIES AND PORTIONS OF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA. PENN STATE EXTENSION FOREST RESOURCES EDUCATOR DAVID JACKSON SAYS WE CAN PROBABLY EXPECT TWO OR THREE YEARS OF SEVERE INFESTATION BEFORE THE MOTH POPULATION DIES BACK. WHILE THE SIGHT OF BARE TREES IS DAUNTING, HE SAYS, DON'T GIVE UP YOUR TREE WITHOUT A FIGHT:
Jackson Actuality:
(:19) "GENERALLY, MORTALITY IS CAUSED NOT DIRECTLY FROM GYPSY MOTH DEFOLIATION BUT ALTERNATE PESTS THAT WILL COME IN AND AFFECT WEAKENED TREES, OR WEATHER PATTERNS LIKE DROUGHTS CAN SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT THE AMOUNT OF TREE MORTALITY THAT WE HAVE. SO WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR EYES OUT FOR THOSE KINDS OF THINGS."(:11) JACKSON SAYS HOMEOWNERS CAN MINIMIZE LEAF LOSS BY TYING A BAND OF BURLAP AROUND AN INFESTED TREE AND DISPOSING OF THE CATERPILLARS THAT CONGREGATE DAILY UNDER THE FLAP. FROM PENN STATE, I'M GARY ABDULLAH.
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