Gypsy Moths Invade Chicago

By Ali Trachta in News on Jun 24, 2008 6:01PM

Sad news for local trees. Gypsy moths have moved to Chicago in droves and show no signs of relocating. State officials announced yesterday that these hungry, leaf-munching monsters are out in record numbers this year, wreaking havoc on area foliage.

Ok, so they don’t look all that monstrous. Actually they mostly look like cute little caterpillars, but they have the capability of being massively destructive. The Tribune profiled Wonder Lake resident Ken Klos, who has recently lost his beloved oak trees to these little chompers.

Klos hears them munching on leaves throughout the day and timed one that polished off a leaf in 40 seconds. The brownish caterpillars stripped his 50 lush green oak trees bare of leaves within a week. They cling to his cedar home, carpet tree trunks and dangle by the thousands from branches like Christmas ornaments.

Ew.

Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture James Cavanaugh tells us that the prevalence of gypsy moths is partly due to the last year’s dry weather, although the more recent cool, damp weather should help spur the growth of a tree fungus that kills them. McHenry, Kane, Lake and DuPage counties have been hit hardest, and are now facing quarantine. That means that tree growers in those areas will have to spray their plants with pesticide as well as have their products inspected before they’re allowed to ship them out. Everyday citizens will also have to have their grills, campers and lumber inspected.

Anyone with trees already under gypsy moth attack are instructed to kill as many as possible, although once they’ve hatched there’s not much that can be done. Still, infestations should be reported to your country official so they can put your area on the spray schedule for next spring. [Trib]

Photo by C Zimmerman.