C2-LancMtar Farming, Saturday, May 1,1993
*
' HUNTINGDON (Huntingdon
Co.) Late April and early May
gypsy moth eggs masses hatch
and release a very hungry army of
gypsy moth caterpillars. The
caterpillars are the destructive
stage of the moth. The amount of
defoliation over the past three
years has been declining. The
Bureau of Forestry estimated
640,000 acres of Pennsylvania’s
woodlands were defoliated by the
gypsy moth in 1992. This is down
from the 1.2 million acres in 1991
and the 4.3 million acres in 1990.
Depending on local weather
conditions, the young hairy cater
pillars (larvae) emerge and start a
feeding frenzy that lasts about two
months. The young caterpillars
feed on the foliage night and day
where the wind currents can move
them about the neighborhood.
Then in late May the caterpillars
molt again and are about half
grown. At this stage the caterpil
lars feed only during the night and
travel down the tree to seek shade
during the daytime. The larvae
mature in mid-June to early July,
where the larvae pupate and
emerge as adult moths. The
female moths are white and do not
fly whereas the males are buff
colored and fly readily during the
day.
Homeowners can reduce dam
age to their trees and shrubs by
finding and destroying the moths’
buff-colored egg masses in winter
or early spring. To determine
potential for gypsy moth defolia
tion on your lot you must first
count the number of viable egg
masses. In several different areas
you should stake out a plot (circle)
ROLURO 0N...1N THB SO's
MEETS THE CHALLENGE
BRH RO-CROP CULTIVATORS
4 to 12 Rows
The heart of tha BRH Rb-Crop la Brllllon'a No-Wobble Parallel
Linkage. Heavyd uty la an understatement, the linkage for each
gang walgha over 50 pounda. Strength where It's needed, a Bul
lion tradition.
Heavy duty straight edge shanks allow hlgh-apeed tillage with
out throwing dirt or residue.
Underframa shank clearance of 25" allows you more daya to
cultivate your crops before they gel too fall.
Tha axtra long gang frama offara axcellant traah claaranca,
allowing you to handla tha haavy raalduaa left from minimum til*
laga practlcaa.
Tha ruggad yoke mounted gauge wheel offera eaay depth
adjuatment. Simply mova tha pin to tha proper hole you are ready
to cultivate.
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The BRILLION “S” tine cultivator (model BRS) four-way
tooth movement Is designed for high speed cultivation,
especially In conjunction with chemical weed control. The
“S” tines also mulch ths soil and level the ground for
easier harvesting. Availabls In rigid or folding models for
four to 12 rows.
It’s Time
that is 18. S feet diameter. Count
all of the viable egg masses in this
area. You may need binoculars to
count the egg masses high up in
the tree. Multiply this number by
40. Be sure to take counts from
several different areas and average
the counts. This provides a more
representative estimate of the
potential for defoliation. Viable
egg masses are rigid masses,
whereas the soft masses' are last
years masses that have already
hatched. The threshold for poten
tial damage is as follows: residen
tial areas - 250 egg masses per
acre and woodlot areas - 500 egg
masses per acre.
For residential areas this is only
6-7 egg masses per plot (18. S feet
diameter). The threshold is lower
in residential areas because of the
droppings from the gypsy moths
which litters, cars, decks, walk
ways, lawn furniture, and people.
The defoliation may not be as
great but the droppings are
unsightly. Also some people are
allergic to the caterpillars. The
hairs can cause a rash that varies
from faint reddish spots to patches
of inflamed skin with blister-like
wheals. The wheals disappear in
12 to 18 hours and the rash fades
in a few days. Children appear to
be more prone to the problem than
adults.
Homeowners can reduce dam
age to their trees and shrubs by
finding and destroying the moths’
buff-colored egg masses in winter
or early spring. But if you didn’t
take that precaution, or if your
property is infested by wind
blown caterpillars from other
locations, there are several ways
BRS CULTIVATOR
For Built in Strength
Where It Counts
Buy
t
"■J J
J
For The Gypsy -Moth
to protect your landscape from
defoliation. Penn State entomolo
gist Gregory Hoover says several
non-chemical measures have
proven effective in controlling the
pest. One of the most popular
methods is “banding.” To do this,
in late May encircle the trunk of a
tree at chest height with a 14-to
18-inch wide piece of burlap and
tie a rope or cord around its
middle. Fold the top half down,
creating a skirt around the trunk of
the tree. Near the end of each day,
collect and destroy any caterpil
lars that have gathered under the
flap.
Banding takes advantage of the
caterpillars’ tendency to come
down from the tree during the day
and seek a sheltered resting place.
“Although I wouldn’t recommend
this method for a property owner
with hundreds of trees, it can sig
nificantly reduce defoliation on
individual trees in your yard,” said
Hoover.
Hoover says commercially
available barrier tape also can be
applied to trees. Barrier tape is
treated with a sticky substance
that reduces the chance that a
caterpillar will gain access to the
crown of the tree by climbing the
trunk.
Another good defense is to
maintain a variety of healthy, vig
orous plants that can withstand the
stress of gypsy moth feeding and
attract songbirds and other natural
predators. “Although gypsy moths
feed on about 300 varieties of
trees and shrubs, they prefer oak,”
[PENNSYLVANIA I
1 1 UMBERGERS
OF FONTANA
Adamatcwn
ADAMSTOWN Loywni*
EQUIP. INC. GUTSHALL’S, INC.
Altoona Lynnport
HINES KERMIT K.
EQUIPMENT CO. KISTLER, INC.
Baehttlavllla Maxatawny
MILLER N.H FLICKER &
EQUIP. CO. SONS, INC.
Badlord Naadmoia
BENCE’S CLUGSTON
FARM EQUIPMENT FARM EQUIPMENT
Btiwlck Naw Holland
CH RINEHIMER A.B.C. GROFF, INC.
& SONS Oakland Milla
Carliala PEOPLES
GUTSHALL'S, INC SALES & SERVICE
Dovar Olay
GEORGE N. PIKEVILLE
GROSS, INC. EQUIPMENT, INC.
Eaaton Quarryvllla
GEORGE V. GRUMELU FARM
SEIPLE SERVICE
Elhabathtown Tamaqua
MESSICK FARM CHARLES
EQUIPMENT CO. SNYDER, INC.
Graancaatla Waahlngton
MEYERS BULL
IMPLEMENT INTERNATIONAL
Intaieouraa Walaontown
C.B. HOOBER DEERFIELD AG &
& SON TURF CENTER. INC
Lsnesstsr
LANDIS
BROTHERS, INC.
MARYLAND
Rising Sun Frtdtrlck
AG INDUSTRIAL CERESVILLE FORD
EQUIPMENT NEW HOLLAND
Brldgston Columbus
LESLIE FOGG REED BROTHERS
EQUIPMENT
Ehnsr FslrlMd
POLE TAVERN CALDWELL
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said Hoover. “You'll discourage
gypsy moths if you maintain
diversity in your landscape.”
Some species Hoover recom
mends are ash, dogwood, honey
locust. horse chestnut, mulberry,
rhododendron, sycamore and yel
low or tulip poplar.
Hoover says there are more
than a dozen biological and chem
ical pesticides available for fight-
YORK (Yoik Co.) Secretary
Espy has announced that a special
disaster program on com is avail
able to producers who exper
ienced reduced crop quality.
The application period is April
14 through May 7. In general, pro
ducers who sold grain at grade 5
or “sample” levels will most likely
be eligible.
The requirement to purchase
1993 multiperil crop insurance
Aaway Aluminum Exterior
Oil Paint • reflects the sun's
heat and keeps the surface
temperature cooler (650-083)
5 gal SCQ99
Reg. $89.99 Ow
Wsst Grays
SG. LEWIS &
SON, INC.
Disaster
On Crop Corn
5" Bam Brush
• polyester bristles for all stains
and paints (653-298) »f|nq
Reg. $14.99 9
r i
Exterior
Oil
, “ urn mum
ra
MMMVSBSS
r ATTART.F. AT THfe FOLLOWIWI
G & G AGWAY
Manheim, PA 717-665-6122
GWAY(Myti— —-
ing the gypsy moth. But he cau
tions that application timing can
be critical, and some chemicals
may be harmful to certain land
scape plants and the gypsy moth’s
natural enemies. If you choose to
use pesticides, be sure to carefully
read and follow label instructions.
For more information about the
gypsy moth, contact the Penn
State Cooperative Extension
office in your county.
Program
applies if the farm’s adjusted pro
duction for the crop is less than 35
percent of the expected produc
tion. FCIC has extended the 1993
com sales closing date through
May 7.
York County producers who
believe they are eligible for this
new program should contact the
York County ASCS Office at 120
Pleasant Acres Rd.. York, PA
17402, (717) 755-2801.
Easylight® Alumii
Extension Laddsi
• automatic hood loci
• rubber-based swiv'
safety feet
(654-167)
16’, maximum
working
length 13’
Reg. $89.99
•79"
Coleman Powermate
• 1200 psi of cleaning power
• includes 23' high-pressure
hose, squeeze-grip wand,
detergent/wax injection tube
(945-502) sm9Q||o $ m 9Q||0
Reg. $399.99 Il6w
HENRY B. HOOVER, INC.
Ephrata, PA 717-733-6593