Treesearch

The microsporidia are an obligately parasitic group of protists with a number of unusual cytological and molecular characteristics.

The assessment of the problems caused by gypsy moth is dependent on a number of characteristics of a forest stand. One of the main impacts of defoliation is the mortality of standing trees. Mortality is seldom caused directly by defoliation, but is usually associated with a secondary agent which attacks the tree in its weakened condition.

Using the Scenic Beauty Estimator (SBE) approach, within-stand color photographs were taken of 27 forested sites representative of the Central Appalachian Plateau. These sites had been repeatedly infested by gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) (GM) to varying degrees since 1985, with resulting tree mortality from 6% - 97%. Eighty-one slides (3 slides/site) were randomly arranged and presented to 415 subjects. Subjects were composed of professional foresters, forestry students, recreation students, members of the Izaak Walton League, and a pool of general students. Within each group, half of the...

Aims of the research: The gypsy moth life system model (GMLSM) is a complex model which incorporates numerous components (both biotic and abiotic) and ecological processes. It is a detailed simulation model which has much biological reality. However, it has not yet been tested with life system data. For such complex models, evaluation and testing cannot be adequately accomplished comparing the outputs with life systems data. Our strategy is to combine structural and functional analysis of the ecological processes within the GMLSM with development of synoptic models that incorporate the...

Gypchek? is the gypsy moth Baculovirus product developed by the U.S. Forest Service and registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1978. It has since been reregistered (1988) as a minor use pesticide.

The Appalachian IPM program (AIPM), due to its size (12.8 million acres), location along the leading edge, and use of new technology, will influence the development of gypsy moth management programs. This paper reviews the data collection, management and mapped display of the adult male and egg mass life stages in the AIPM project. Data are field-collected using optically-scanned forms and managed using database management and geographic information systems. Maps showing population density, trend in density, extent of infestation and proximity to other infestations are delivered to land...

Oak-hickory forest stands were sampled for tree mortality using a series of temporary plots. Stands were classified by gypsy moth defoliation and by thinning treatment timing.

The standard milk carton trap baited with 500 ig of (+) disparlure has worked very well in detecting populations of gypsy moth in regions where it is just becoming established.

Gypsy moth outbreaks can have drastic effects on many f a s t resources and uses. Because gypsy moth prefers oak foliage, oak stands are the most susceptible to defoliation and resultant damage. The value of oak mast for many wildlife species is high. The high carbohydrate content of acorns provides the energy necessary for winter survival. Loss of mast crops due to direct and indirect effects of gypsy moth defoliation may result in large-scale reductions in wildlife habitat and food sources.