The gypsy moth caterpillar invasion continues to spread through St. Clair County. The evidence can be seen in the disappearing leaves on giant oak trees. Drought conditions are no help as the trees are under tremendous stress.
Greenwood Township resident Karen Vincent told us that she and her husband, Tim, have watched the little caterpillars decimate the leaves on over forty towering oak trees on their ten-acre property over the past three weeks. They wondered why there is no county-wide mitigation strategy.
While Macomb County sprayed for gypsy moths on May 19th this year, covering entire townships as well as parks and golf courses with a naturally-occurring bacteria that kills young caterpillars, St. Clair County has not sprayed.
St. Clair County Commissioner Jorja Baldwin said there hasn’t been an infestation to this extent in decades and the Board of Commissioners is discussing what they could have done differently. They are looking at how to detect an outbreak and take action for 2022. Baldwin said they are working with the MSU Extension and discussing partnering with Macomb County to work together on preventing future outbreaks.
More information about caring for damaged trees and dealing with the infestation can be found at:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/Invasive_species/Gypsy-Moth/gypsy-moth-around-home
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
PHOTO CREDIT: KAREN VINCENT
