Gypsy Moth Invasion Ruining N.J. Forests

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/tech/2006/jun/10/061001857.html

An invasion of gypsy moths has been destroying thousands of acres of New Jersey forests in the span of a month, setting the state up for its worst outbreak since the caterpillars defoliated 140,000 acres in 2001.

And that's disrupting life for numerous Garden State residents, such as Bruce Long, who can't get the concrete patio around his pool clean. A power washer can't even get rid of the feces stains left by the gypsy moth caterpillars that invaded his yard, and the thousands of caterpillars he's killed cover his land.

"It's like something out of a horror movie," the 55-year-old sales manager told Gannett New Jersey for Saturday's editions. "It's the grossest thing I've seen in my life."

Joe Zoltowoski, who heads the state Department of Agriculture gypsy moth control program, said the outbreak seems to have spread from state-owned lands. Areas like Wharton State Forest don't have strong gypsy moth spray programs, he said, and dry conditions have prevented the growth of a soil fungus that helps control the creatures.

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On infected areas will kill many non-target moths and butterfly species.