Thanks to the keen observations of an Ohio State faculty member, the 15,000 trees on campus can breathe a sigh of relief.
While walking to and from class in the fall, David Shetlar, an extension landscape entomologist in the department of entomology, discovered a gypsy moth egg mass in the hollow of an Oak tree on Carmack Road.
Gypsy moths are considered to be the single most destructive pest of trees and shrubs in the United States. European natives, they were brought over to Massachusetts in 1869 in a failed attempt to breed a stronger silk worm. While they were no help to silk production, gypsy moths quickly found their niche in chomping through American vegetation. One caterpillar can eat up to 50 square feet of vegetation in its lifetime.
Because of the imminent danger to trees on campus, Shetlar alerted the Physical Facilities department at OSU and the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The two departments worked together to conduct a delimination study, which determined the extent of the infestation.
The study found 61 egg masses on trees near Vivian Hall, 2121 Fyffe Rd. This is known as a spot infestation because the egg masses are tightly grouped in one location. The researchers believe the egg masses were brought to OSU from an outside location.
“Many people park their cars and trailers around this area for sporting events,” Shetlar said. “It’s possible that one of the trailers had an egg mass on it and the caterpillars were blown into these trees.”
In order to squelch the possibility of further invasion, action needed to be taken before the eggs hatched this coming spring.
“We were concerned with finding a way to treat the egg masses without resorting to pesticides,” Shetlar said.
With the help of a company in Texas, a nontoxic oil treatment was found. The treatment, which contains soybean oil extract, will be sprayed on the egg masses in order to kill the eggs before they hatch.
Cathy Maupin, plant materials superintendent, said she plans to monitor the egg masses through next fall to ensure that the treatment worked and the gypsy moths have not spread to other locations on campus.
