FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2009

NCDA&CS to treat gypsy moth infestations in Currituck,
Dare, Granville and Warren counties

RALEIGH - The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will soon be treating five localized gypsy moth infestations in Currituck, Dare, Granville and Warren counties in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service and the Gypsy Moth Slow the Spread Foundation Inc.

The Granville and Warren county treatments are anticipated to start around April 20, depending on weather conditions and insect development. Treatments in Currituck and Dare counties are expected to begin around April 22, depending on conditions.

Field monitoring activities conducted by NCDA&CS last year determined that a reproducing population of the highly destructive gypsy moth exists in these counties and represents a threat to hardwoods.

In Granville and Warren counties, two fine-mist applications of the biological pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki, or Bt(k), will be made by helicopter five to seven days apart. In Currituck County and a portion of the Dare County block, a fine-mist application of Bt(k) will be made. The remainder of the Dare County block will be treated with a fine-mist application of Gypchek, another biological pesticide.

Neither Bt(k) nor Gypchek is harmful to humans or animals. Bt(k) is harmful only to caterpillars that consume it, while Gypchek is harmful only to gypsy moth caterpillars.

The two Currituck County treatment blocks consist of 401 and 365 acres, both in the town of Carova, near the Virginia state line.

The Dare County treatment block consists of 500 acres in the town of Kitty Hawk. A portion of Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve is within the treatment block.

The Granville County treatment block consists of 121 acres two miles northeast of the town of Oxford. The Henderson-Oxford airport is located just east of the treatment block.

The Warren County treatment block consists of 363 acres north of Norlina one mile south of the Virginia state line.The town of Wise is located about three miles south of the block.

Gypsy moths feed on the leaves of more than 300 different species of trees and shrubs, predominantly hardwoods. When areas become heavily infested, trees may be completely stripped of foliage, leaving yard trees and entire forests more susceptible to attacks from other pests.  Severe infestations often lead to tree death. Gypsy moth caterpillars can also pose public health concerns for people with respiratory problems. In high-density gypsy moth populations, the caterpillar hairs and droppings may cause severe allergic reactions.

NCDA&CS has addressed spot introductions of the gypsy moth across North Carolina since the 1970s. The department is working with 10 other states through the Gypsy Moth Slow the Spread Foundation Inc. and with other state and federal agencies to reduce the expansion of the gypsy moth into uninfested areas of the state.

Public hearings were held in January and February to receive input from landowners in the  treatment block areas.

For more information, including maps and a description of the proposed treatment area, go to http://www.ncagr.com/plantindustry/plant/entomology/GM.htm or contact NCDA&CS toll free at (800) 206-9333.

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