By CINDY LADAGE
Illinois Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Late spring is that time of year when – along with farmers in the fields and summer almost here, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) is gearing up for gypsy moth treatments in areas of Cook, DuPage and Will counties.
The third week of May was the target date and applications were timed with precision to coincide with the emergence of the destructive caterpillar.

IDOA warned that fickle spring weather may change plans if showers or wind whip up.

To see exactly where treatments will occur, log onto the Internet at www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/gypsymoth

Like a heavy arsenal invasion, the IDOA will descend with a helicopter ready to apply a chemical known as Btk, or Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki. This is a bacterium commonly found in dirt on the farm and is supposed to offer a safe, environmentally-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides.

Btk is not a new treatment; in fact, the IDOA said it has been used successfully in the United States for more than 40 years. It is stated nontoxic to humans, other mammals, birds, fish and most insects, including honeybees and ladybugs.

Treatments were to begin at daybreak last Friday.
“Two helicopters are scheduled to apply Btk to 1,388 acres in Woodridge and Cog Hill,” said Jeff Squibb of the IDOA. “The choppers then will split up, with one traveling to a 277-acre treatment site southeast of Naperville and the other, to a 530-acre site near Oak Forest south of U.S. Route 6 and west of Illinois Route 50.

“The work should take less than a day to complete. Each site also will receive a second application between May 28 and May 30. The same schedule will be followed.”

The moth, though pretty to look out, is a rather destructive insect. Gypsy moths feast on the foliage of trees and shrubs, and when they grow to large populations, the insects can strip plants bare.
Squibb said, “They obtained their name because the female moth cannot fly and typically lays her eggs on objects near where she is feeding, including campers, grills and backpacks. When these items are moved, the eggs ride along like a nomadic gypsy.”
The treatment for this invasive pest comes from the Slow the Spread program, a joint local, state and federal effort to reduce and control the spread of the gypsy moth. Anyone with questions may contact Squibb at 217-558-1546.