Saturday, May 27, 2006
Forestry officials are concerned about gypsy moths and emerald ash borers.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Forestry officials are asking campers and others venturing into the outdoors to check their vehicles so they do not bring the destructive larvae of two invasive bugs to western Pennsylvania.
Officials are concerned about gypsy moths and emerald ash borers. Gypsy moths are back in the eastern part of the state and emerald ash borers, responsible for the destruction of millions of trees in Michigan and Ohio, could cross into Pennsylvania this summer.
"Look before you move anything," said Ed Callahan, director of forestry in western Pennsylvania with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Both pests are in larvae or caterpillar stage. Gypsy moth caterpillars grow to about 2 inches long and are grayish brown with yellow and black heads and spiky hairs. Emerald ash borer larvae grow to about 1 inch long and are flat and white with a brown head. Neither is native to the United States.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has been surveying for the emerald ash borer on state-owned forestlands since 2003. So far, none has been found.
Callahan said people should check their belongings for hidden caterpillars and remove any that are found.
Caterpillars often hide in firewood, and officials ask that people not transport it within the state.
The department sprayed pesticide on 82,000 acres in the northeast part of the state last week to control gypsy moths. Numbers of gypsy moths in western Pennsylvania aren't high enough to begin spraying programs, officials said.
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