Dear Editor:
RE: Gypsy moth caterpillars plaguing trees across Wellington County, June 24.
During the last two summers, we learned that not only are European gypsy moths cunning critters, hiding in crevices and under loose tree bark, but the hairs on these caterpillars contain a toxin to which some folks are allergic. It’s wise to wear gardening gloves with neoprene fingers when squishing caterpillars, or collect them into a bucket of soapy water, then leave for three days before emptying to be sure they’re dead.
In late summer and fall, those toxic hairs coat beige, 25-cent-sized clusters of about 500 to 1,000 eggs each. Lightly spray an egg mass with water to prevent the hairs from wafting into your eyes, nose or mouth before scraping them with a spoon into a container. Bury, burn or flush eggs down the toilet. By late winter and spring, the hairs have weathered away; egg masses look white, no protection needed.
In the spring, local garden centres and online businesses sell tree banding kits, BTk spray and moth traps (only for males since females can’t fly).
Apparently, gypsy moth caterpillars find our birch, oak, apple, willow, poplar and aspen, even the tender tips of tamarack, particularly tasty. We find them everywhere, surprisingly, on raspberry bushes.
Photos of all four gypsy moth stages – egg mass, caterpillar, pupa, male and female moths – are available online.
It’s a challenging, labour intensive battle to defend our trees from this voracious enemy.
Louise McMullen,
Erin