Oregonians for food and shelter legislative update 030609

The trapping of seven Gypsy moths in the Eugene area has triggered the ODA to take an eradication action on about 600 acres this spring to attack this potentially devastating pest before it becomes a pandemic problem in Oregon. The larva or caterpillar is the damaging stage as it eats the leaves of deciduous trees and needles of conifers. They are voracious little "eating machines." For example, one Gypsy moth larvae can consume as much as one square foot of leaves per day. When populations reach outbreak proportions, the caterpillars can completely defoliate host trees over a wide geographic area. Consistent or repeated defoliation over several years can have devastating effects, often leading to the eventual death of the tree. Although this pest prefers hardwoods, it will consume over 100 different trees and shrubs, threatening all vegetation in its wake -- forestry, nursery, orchards, farmers, home ornamentals and even wilderness areas.

A bad example of what can happen if this infestation is allowed to grow can be seen in the small state of New Jersey. In 2006 the Gypsy moth defoliated 125,743 acres of forest. One year later (even with a spray operation) the defoliation grew to 320,610 acres. In 2008 they felt they had a successful control program at a cost of $5.2 Million and "only" had 339,240 acres defoliated. Note: New Jersey is less than NINE PERCENT of the size of Oregon! The following 2008 New Jersey Department of Agriculture press release give more details: http://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/news/press/2008/approved/press080714.html

Regardless of the potential, horrific damage this pest could cause Oregon, it is not surprising that Oregon Toxics Alliance (OTA) located in Eugene is spearheading a misinformation campaign to stop the spraying of Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.). B.t. is a safe biological pesticide that only affects the caterpillar stage of the moth, and is even registered for use on ORGANIC food crops! To help combat much of the misinformation the activists are shoveling to the media, public and legislators, the ODA has put together the following Q&A:

1) What's going on?   Why?      Oregon Department of Agriculture is planning to treat a gypsy moth infestation in a neighborhood of South Eugene. Gypsy moths were trapped there in 2007 and 2008 indicating that there is a breeding population present. This insect is an exotic invasive species and one of the worst forest pests in the nation; millions of acres are defoliated each year in the eastern US. We don't want it here. Complete eradication of this population is the best way to protect Oregon. The biggest threat to Oregon's native biodiversity comes from invasive species such as the Gypsy Moth.

2) What is the spray? Is it toxic? Will it harm my children and pets?     The material we're planning to use is not a chemical but a natural biological insecticide called B.t. or B.t.k. It is derived from a common soil bacterium and often used by organic growers. This year we are pleased to have a formulation that is certified organic by OMRI from Eugene. B.t.k. has been used for over forty years and has an excellent safety record worldwide. ODA successfully conducted gypsy moth eradication sprays using B.t.k. in over 20 Oregon communities including Eugene, Portland, Bend, Ashland and others over last two decades. Human health studies from similar residential treatment projects have not found health effects related to B.t.

3) Why spray for seven moths?    This is not a suppression treatment to reduce a nuisance species like mosquitoes. Catching gypsy moths two years in a row in the same neighborhood is firm evidence that a breeding population is established there. Gypsy moth is an exotic pest of national concern. Eradicating this infestation will prevent the population from becoming permanently established and spreading throughout the state. Eliminating invasive species early prevents ecological and economic damage; this results in less use of pesticides in the future. Keeping invasive species out of Oregon is good for the environment.

4) When will it happen? Why use a helicopter?   Three sprays are scheduled for late April and May. Exact timing depends on the weather. B.t. does not persist in the environment so multiple sprays are necessary to ensure that the entire gypsy moth egg hatching period is covered. The infested area is relatively large (over 600 acres), difficult to access by ground and has lots of tall mature trees. A helicopter is the only feasible application method that would work in this situation. We use truck applications for infestations of 50 acres or less when the trees aren't over 30 ft tall.

5) Why not use alternatives like pheromone traps or a species-specific virus?    We do use pheromone traps and the area will be heavily trapped for the next couple of years. The traps are good for monitoring the effectiveness of the treatment, but by themselves, they are not effective at complete eradication.     There is a species-specific virus that targets gypsy moth but it is not available commercially and in research testing, results have been inconsistent. Someday this might be a viable alternative, but it is not an option today.

6) I've heard that, Oregon has been spraying gypsy moths for decades. It seems like we'll never eradicate them. Why not accept the inevitable and quit all this spraying?    ODA first detected gypsy moths in Oregon in 1979 in Lake Oswego. Several dozen infestations have been detected since. The largest was in 1984-5 when over 19,000 moths were caught in Lane County. ODA pioneered the use of B.t. to combat that infestation; a quarter of a million acres were sprayed over several years in the largest successful gypsy moth eradication program anywhere. These infestations were not related to each other. Each represents a new introduction - we often find the old egg masses on a travel trailer or picnic table that has come from an infested eastern state. In 2008 we treated an infestation in Shady Cove, before that in 2007 we treated infestations in Bend and St. Helens. The current infestation in Eugene is not evidence that gypsy moth eradication projects have failed - in fact our success at eradication has been excellent. It is evidence that gypsy moths establish readily here; Oregon has abundant hosts and a favorable climate.   Our experience in Oregon indicates that one season of treatments with B.t. has a high likelihood of success at complete eradication. Rarely a second year of treatments has been required.

7) What's the difference between spraying gypsy moth and spraying termites or cockroaches?     Gypsy moths are not native to Oregon and are not established here. Termites and cockroaches are either native or were introduced long ago; they are here to stay. We have a choice with gypsy moth; eliminate the infestation or live with gypsy moths forever. Oregon Invasive Species Council has identified gypsy moth as one of the 100 Worst Invasive Species threatening the State. ODA is committed to keeping it out of Oregon for as long as it is feasible to do so.

8) Will B.t. kill the monarch and swallowtail butterflies? Does it affect fish and birds?   B.t. will not kill butterflies, bees, ladybugs, native pollinators or other beneficial insects. It only kills young caterpillars due to their susceptible digestive system. Unfortunately, some non-target species of moths and butterflies that are in the caterpillar stage during the treatment will be killed. These native species will quickly move back into the neighborhood from the surrounding area. There will be no long-term effects. Other mammals, fish and birds are not affected by B.t.

9) Didn't California abandon this type of aerial spray projects because of health concerns?    No. The pest and type of treatment in California is very different from what we are proposing in Eugene. The pest in question in California was not the Gypsy moth but the light brown apple moth (LBAM) and the product used to treat LBAM was not B.t. but a specific pheromone (sexual hormone used to disrupt mating of the pest). In Eugene, we are treating the Gypsy moth and using a biological product that has an excellent health and safety record.

10) Who do I call if I have questions?    ODA has set up a toll free number for anyone with questions about gypsy moth or the treatment. The number is: 1-800-525-0137.