The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is accepting public comments on a proposed plan to eradicate a gypsy moth infestation found near Yacolt. Comments are due Thu., April 9.
WSDA scientists discovered the gypsy moth population last summer, during the agency’s annual trapping program.
“Every summer we trap for gypsy moths, primarily in western Washington because that’s where people relocate or come as tourists most often,” says Mike Louisell, the WSDA’s public information officer. “The traps have pheromones in them to attract the male gypsy moths. They think there’s a female in there.”
This past summer, in 2014, the state set about 19,000 traps throughout western Washington as well as a few locations in eastern Washington. The researchers found significant numbers of gypsy moths in two locations – Seattle’s densely populated Capitol Hill neighborhood and in the sparsely populated town of Yacolt.
“We found 27 gypsy moths throughout western Washington this trapping season, and 16 of the 27 were found in Yacolt,” Louisell says. “So now we know that there’s a small population in the making in Yacolt and that this population is capable of introducing more gypsy moths. We don’t want it to grow.”
The non-native moths are voracious eaters, feasting on an array of trees and shrubs. Left to their own devices, the moths could devastate Washington’s forests.
“The evidence of a reproducing population of gypsy moths in Yacolt is overwhelming,” said Jim Marra, manager of WSDA’s pest program. “Now is the time to stop it from spreading.”
The state’s plan calls for three to five aerial applications of the biological insecticide Btk or Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki. The sprays would take place in April and May and should, according to WSDA scientists, catch the moths during their most destructive, caterpillar stage. The proposed eradication site is located on 220 acres about one mile northeast of Yacolt.
“Any treatment with Btk is done in late April or early May, depending on the weather conditions – dry is better than rainy – and the emergence of gypsy moth caterpillars to consume leaves of trees and shrubs,” Louisell says.
A group of WSDA scientists came to Yacolt in mid-February to discuss the eradication plan and answer questions. Last week, the state released its environmental checklist on the proposed gypsy moth eradication plan.
The report, available in full at www.agr.wa.gov/PlantsInsects/InsectPests/GypsyMoth, touches on aspects of concern, including possible affects on human health, wildlife and water quality.
The area where state scientists hope to spray the Btk contains commercial and residential lands and includes single family homes, roads – including NE Thompson Road, NE Thomson Circle and NE Felkel Road – portions of Cedar Creek, three small ponds and two perennial streams that feed into Cedar Creek.
According to WSDA entomologist Rian Wojahn, the checklist’s author, the proposed eradication plan is not likely to harm any threatened or endangered species, adversely affect the area’s water supply or cause human health concerns.
“The information provided by WDFW (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife) Priority Habitats and Species Program identified areas approximately one mile east of the proposed treatment area as Northern Spotted Owl management zones,” Wojahn states in his report. “Information provided by WDFW found no butterfly species of concern in the immediate area. Any butterflies of concern are at a distance of more than six miles southwest of the project site.”
In fact, writes Wojahn, the eradication plan will benefit the wildlife in the area.
“The gypsy moth feeds on more than 500 different species of trees and shrubs. Establishment of the gypsy moth in Washington State would seriously damage our environment, economy and quality of life,” he states in the report. “WSDA’s measures to eradicate gypsy moth will preserve native plants, landscaping and other vegetation, thereby protecting the habitat needed by wildlife.”
Louisell, the WSDA’s public information officer, says he sees no obvious impediments to the eradication project, slated to begin in late April or early May.
“There are no active environmental groups opposing the project in Yacolt … and the history of using this Btk insecticide has a very good safety record. It is used in organic farming and it is known to be effective at removing these pests,” Louisell says.
If approved, the state would begin spraying the Btk from a fixed-wing plane or helicopter in late April or early May. The spraying would likely occur on dry days, early in the morning, and would take three to five applications, spaced three to 14 days apart, to completely eradicate the growing gypsy moth population.
Public comments will be accepted through Thurs., April 9. Comments may be sent to the WSDA at P.O. Box 42560, 1111 Washington St., SE, Olympia, WA 98504-2560. For more information, call (360) 902-1800 or toll-free at 1-800-443-6684.
To review the eradication plans online, visit www.agr.wa.gov/PlantsInsects/InsectPests/GypsyMoth. Paper copies also are available for review at two local libraries: the Yacolt Express Library, Old Yacolt Town Hall, 105 E. Yacolt Road, Yacolt, and the Battle Ground Community Library, 1207 SE 8th Way, Battle Ground.
