Stopping Gypsy Moths from Mating

Gypsy moths can be found in more than 50 of the 88 counties in Ohio.

They feast mainly on oak trees and are becoming a growing problem. So the state is attempting to slow down the spread of these insects.

"To try to prevent them from mating and some of those types of measures, but inevitably, they’re going to be here. Hopefully, we can prevent these outbreaks from becoming too large an issue, " says Mark Mechling of the OSU Extension Program.

The gypsy moth is most destructive in its larva stage.

"The damage they inflict is not only all the loss-basically they devour every leaf on a tree-so it looks like it’s basically dropped all its leaves. If that occurs 2 or 3 years in a row, then that often times can end in the death of a tree, " says Mechling.

Mechling says it’s extremely expensive to spray for the gypsy moth because of the height of these oak trees and the lack of accessibility to reach them.

Overall, the gypsy moth has caused billions of dollars in damage over the years.