Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
INDIANAPOLIS - Once again the gypsy moth will attempt to make a more permanent home in Indiana, and once again the Indiana Department of Natural Resources will use current scientific techniques to keep it at bay.
The gypsy moth, a leaf-eating, tree-destroying pest, has been moving into Indiana gradually from Michigan and Ohio.
The DNR will hold meetings Thursday in several counties to discuss methods of eradicating early outbreaks of the pest.
In Kosciusko County, the meeting will be held in the Pierceton community building, on the corner of Market and Walnut streets, Thursday from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Traps have produced gypsy moths south of Lake Wawasee, including South Shore Golf Course; in Hillcrest Cemetery south of Pierceton; and in the town of Pierceton.
Gayle Jansen, entomologist supervisor with the DNR, will inform residents about the gypsy moth presence in Indiana and provide information on how to eradicate isolated outbreaks.
The gypsy moth, which now has a definite foothold in some northern Indiana counties, was first brought to the United States from Europe more than 100 years ago. For the past 24 years, the state has delayed gypsy moths from becoming more widespread. Because of this delay, as the insect moves through the state, the DNR will be able to incorporate the newest methods to preserve the long-term health of Indiana's woodlands and urban forests.
Last year aerial spraying of Disrupt¨ II was applied in Syracuse and south of Pierceton in early June, before the males began to fly.
Disrupt II is a gypsy moth controlled-release pheronome formula designed to disrupt normal male flight orientation to females.
