The Maryland Department of Agriculture will spray trees on approximately 50,000 acres of land in 11 counties to prevent defoliation caused by the gypsy moth.
Counties include Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard and Montgomery, which were chosen due to increasing gypsy moth populations observed last fall.
“The gypsy moth is by far the most destructive pest of forest and shade trees in Maryland,” said Agriculture Secretary Roger Richardson, in a statement.
High counts of gypsy moth egg masses are driving treatment of the largest number of acres since 1995. Their caterpillars eat the leaves of oak and other hardwoods from late April through June. Heavy populations of caterpillars will eat most or all leaves on atree, possibly killing it.
For information, call 800-492-2105 or 2106.
