PREFACE

OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM OPERATION:
The actual application of pesticide is a very small part of a good local gypsy moth program.  There is a vast need for education as each county experiences the impacts of a gypsy moth infestation.  Initial education efforts in many counties usually take the form of a group of interested, concerned individuals who have had firsthand experience with the gypsy moth in another setting or who believe that the potential threat of this insect should be taken seriously.  These groups generally consist of community or county leaders, many times spearheaded by local cooperative extension agents or other county representatives who are alert to impending community and county concerns.  What is discussed later can be applied at the county level or community level.  Using the “community/county” designation when dual meaning is intended will emphasize this.

The benefits of gypsy moth education for all segments of the population include:

• Reduced stress and anxiety of property owners
• Increased awareness of our immediate environment
• Promotion of safe and effective use of pesticides as well as biological and mechanical control techniques
• Reduced dependency on chemical pesticides which will reduce hazards to people, wildlife, and groundwater
• Reduced rate of the spread of the gypsy moth.  Lowered risk of tree mortality and reinfestations
• Building awareness of proper management of forest resources, including yard trees, street trees, and wood lots to lessen the impact of the gypsy moth

Education activities can occur at schools using the gypsy moth as an example in a science/biology class, at public property owner information meetings, at a meeting for area merchants, at lake association or subdivision meetings, in-service organizations…the list is endless.  Once a group of concerned individuals is identified in the community/county setting and is organized into a gypsy moth task force, the ball is set into motion for community/county wide education programs.  The task force can identify immediate and long-term public needs and call on persons from state and private resource agencies listed herein.  Imagination is the only limitation!

What follows is an outline of some suppression activities that have been developed and used in Michigan counties that have experienced the gypsy moth.  Doubtless there will be variations and permutations to every idea set forth within these pages.  It is hoped that these ideas will spark community/county involvement and raise the level of awareness concerning the gypsy moth in Michigan.

DESIGNATION OF A LOCAL COORDINATOR:
The county must identify a person as their Gypsy Moth County Coordinator; this person has responsibility for coordinating local activities as well as working with the MDA.  This person must be able to conduct necessary field surveys, prepare maps, have knowledge of gypsy moth biology and tree identification, supervise field staff, cooperate with county and state agencies, work effectively with citizens, conduct meetings, and budget time and funds.  MSU and MDA will provide training necessary to comply with program requirements.  All wages and benefits for this position are financed by the county and are cost shareable. 

PUBLIC INFORMATION:
The county must coordinate and conduct public information activities which solicit community opinions regarding citizens’ desire for a treatment program, outline the materials that may be used, indicate the qualifying parameters as required by the Environmental Impact Statement, and determine environmentally sensitive areas.  This public information program utilizes a combination of communications.

• Scoping-Citizens' Concerns Public Meetings Radio, television call-in questions and answer program An Open House with extended office hours

  SCOPING is the process used by the county to determine the scope of citizen concerns with the proposed treatment action.  This usually consists of one or more public meetings and personal communications.  Other methods may also be appropriate, such as a local radio or television call-in question and answer program or an evening open house at the gypsy moth office.  Counties with well-established programs and poor attendance at public meetings may utilize alternative scoping methods, with MDA concurrence.  Whichever combination of methods is used, the identified concerns need to be responded to and the questions and responses conveyed to the MDA program administrator by the beginning of January for inclusion in the Michigan Gypsy Moth Environmental Assessment.

Treatment Notification First Class Mail Telephone Face-to-Face

All households in the proposed treatment areas must be notified of the intended spray program at least 30 days prior to the start of spraying.  First class mail, telephone, or face-to-face contact can do this.  For more information see the February section of the manual.

• The county issues news releases prior to the spray event informing citizens about what to expect as the treatment occurs.

Funding Sources County general fund County millage Township general fund Township millage Special assessment Township/municipality generated Landowner pays/pay for spray

FUNDING:

Funding the operation and application of Bt for control of gypsy moth comes from Federal and local sources.  A local county government should plan their budget for 100% of the expenses.  Upon successful completion of the project, up to half of the cost of conducting the program may be cost-shared by MDA using Federal dollars.

COUNTY’S SHARE:
Funding the county’s share of the spray program can be accomplished through a variety of ways.  The simplest and most efficient method is for the county to appropriate money from it’s general budget.  However, because of budgetary constraints, certain counties have required townships or private landowners to contribute all or a portion of the county share.  Frequently, this has resulted in the last minute deletion of sizeable amounts of acreage when the monies are not paid to the county; this in turn forces a lapsing in available funds to the USDA-Forest Service for qualified and treated acres.  To avoid this situation, the county must have its funding source committed prior to soliciting bids for all proposed treatment blocks.  Approved acres that are not funded prior to soliciting bids cannot be considered for inclusion in the cooperative spray program.

LACK OF FUNDS:
In the event Federal funds are insufficient to reimburse all qualified acres to the stated federal rate, the state policy will be to pro-rate remaining funds on a per acre basis.

• Salaries and wages as well as fringe benefits
• Travel
• Equipment
• General expenditures, including supplies, telephone, printing, postage, educational programs, and miscellaneous suppression related expenditures
• Contractual costs for digitizing, etc.
• Indirect costs (limited by section IB4j of the Grant Agreement)

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS AND GRANT AGREEMENT:
Important program commitments will be incorporated into a proposal requirement and grant agreement between MDA and the county.  Through the documents, the county estimates the number of acres to be included in the suppression program, indicates the funding source for the county’s share of the costs, and agrees to comply with the terms and conditions for participating in the cooperative spray program.  The grant agreement provides the actual number of acres to be sprayed, reimbursement rate, and time period that the grant is in effect.  The county must return the grant application to the MDA Lansing office by the specified date in order for the federal funds to be committed for that county’s spray program.  See September section for more on the application process.

GYPSY MOTH TASK FORCE:
The main objective in creating a gypsy moth task force is to use community resources wisely and effectively in alerting, informing, and educating residents and interested groups to the gypsy moth problem.  Task force members are encouraged to take an active role in one or more committees.  Your task force should be in place by the time homeowners first begin experiencing gypsy moth problems.

ORGANIZING A GYPSY MOTH TASK FORCE:

STEP ONE Seek approval of local government unit regarding task force formation

The first step in developing a task force is to seek the approval of the local government unit regarding the formation of a task force and its purpose.  The county board of commissioners usually appoints a county task force.  The county board of commissioners should be kept abreast of county task force activities and approve their recommendations.  The task force may act in an advisory capacity to the board of commissioners, making recommendations when appropriate.

STEP TWO Develop procedures to appoint task force members who represent the community/county population

The second step is to develop procedures for appointment to the task force.  The members of the task force should include a well-represented cross section of the community/county population.  The following recommendations for appointments can help to ensure that the task force has input from, and is representative of, the local population.

It is recommended that twelve to twenty people be appointed to the task force.

STEP THREE Rotate task force members and length of time served to maintain interest and the development of innovative programs.

The third step is to make provisions for task force member’s rotation and length of terms served.  The services of the task force will be needed for several years in developing community awareness and education programs.  Periodic rotation of these members serves to maintain high interest and development of innovative ideas.  The county task force may assist commissioners in designating a gypsy moth coordinator if the county decides to participate in the Michigan Cooperative Gypsy Moth Suppression Program.  The county coordinator benefits from the guidance of the task force in implementing the county suppression program.

STEP FOUR Develop task force objectives, including members' complete education about the gypsy moth issue.

The fourth and last step in forming a task force is to develop its objectives.  Once a task force has been identified, the initial objective is for task force members to fully educate themselves about the gypsy moth, including its history in Michigan and their community/county, its biology, its impacts, and what the future holds.

INITIAL TASK FORCE COMMITTEES AND PROJECTS:

Community Education Funding Strategies

The task force should quickly form two committees to explore community education programs and funding strategies.  Other committees may be formed as special needs arise.  Set up a gypsy moth “Help Line” for the community/county to answer a multitude of questions and requests for information.  Many times, the local MSU-E office is called upon for gypsy moth information in the early states of the gypsy moth encounter.  However, once gypsy moth becomes a community/county wide problem, the local MSU-E office will become inundated with telephone calls and concerns that are more efficiently addressed by a designated community/county person(s).  During the four or five week period of intense caterpillar feeding, the designated person will likely spend most of his/her time providing information and answering questions related to the gypsy moth infestation.

IDEAS DEVELOPED BY COMMUNITIES/COUNTIES TO INCREASE INVOLVEMENT:
The following ideas for meetings and activities have been developed in communities/counties where moderate to high gypsy moth populations exist.

• Develop a Budget for salaries and wages, mileage, supplies, educational brochures and programs, telephone and postage.  Funding can be secured through the general fund, business owner contributions, private individuals, and available community monies.  This should be a priority and completed by October 1^st and submitted to the MDA.
  
  
• Public Awareness and Education through Media.  Information can be effectively communicated through several media:  Newspapers, radio, public television, and informational pamphlets.  Weekly newspaper updates during the gypsy moth hatch and caterpillar stage, along with upcoming community activities, will help the community maintain a proactive interest while reducing the over reaction and irrational behavior observed when the public has not been made aware of the impending nuisance caused by high gypsy moth infestation levels.  Usually, public media services are free and therefore should be used extensively.  Expenditures for public education programs and materials are not reimbursable through the Michigan Cooperative Gypsy Moth Suppression Program.
  
  
• Designate a Gypsy Moth “Help Line.”  List the telephone number in the newspaper and telephone book where requests for educational materials and information should be directed.  Trained and knowledgeable people can staff the telephone to answer questions, where requests for educational information can be received, or where recorded messages about the gypsy moth biology, local population distribution, control techniques, and community programs can be heard.  Recorded messages can be updated weekly to keep in step with caterpillar development, pupation, and adult emergency and control recommendations.  This number could be a toll free number if an ongoing funding source is appropriated.

INFORMATION MEETINGS:
Meetings at the county, township, or community level are an efficient method to reach a wide audience with timely information.  Many times, local resources agencies such as MSU-E can conduct these meetings/workshops.

• Merchant Meetings should be held early each spring to acquaint area merchants with products for homeowner use (chemical and biological insecticides, barrier bands, hiding bands).  The agenda should include:
  
  
  • Basic gypsy moth biology
  • History of the gypsy moth in Michigan
  • Expectations about the gypsy moth
  • Mechanical, biological, and chemical control techniques
  • Proper pesticide handling, safety, disposal
  • Sign-up sheets for merchants to identify which products they will be stocking (this list can be used to refer homeowners to area merchants for control products).  Company representatives are usually eager to support these workshops with product samples or printed materials.
    
    
• Homeowner meetings/workshops can be held evenings or weekends at parks, township halls, or other centrally located sites.  These meetings are designed to give homeowners a chance to learn about the gypsy moth and develop reasonable expectations concerning this pest.  Insecticides and mechanical control techniques should be discussed and demonstrated.  When a meeting is held, an agenda similar to the Merchant Meeting agenda should be used.  Possible ideas include:
  
  
  • Showing the homeowner video produced by MSU-E, “Living with Gypsy Moth.”  (VT33, 1998 Edition)
    
    
  • Volunteers and/or task force members can set up separate stations to cover different topic areas:
    • History of gypsy moth in Michigan and Eastern states
    • Natural history of gypsy moth
    • Natural predators and parasites
    • Chemical insecticides (have the products available for viewing)
    • Biological insecticides (have the products available for viewing)
    • Monitoring techniques
    • Mechanical control techniques (effectively demonstrated using a section of log and live caterpillars when available)
    • Preferred tree species
    • Resistant tree species for future landscaping
    • Caterpillars that are commonly confused with the gypsy moth (use live specimens whenever possible)
      
      Local nurserymen, merchants, and consulting foresters could also serve as resource persons when available.
      
      
  • Community Special Interest Groups – Programs have been set up to instruct master gardeners of the gypsy moth problem through MSU-E and MSU Department of Entomology specialists.  Many times, master gardeners continue the community education process by sharing their knowledge with groups with whom they come in contact.
    
    Other interested community groups include service clubs (i.e., Lions, Rotary, Kiwanis, and garden clubs).

YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS: 
Many materials have been assembled and developed that introduce the gypsy moth in elementary science and vocational agriculture.  The following materials are available through your local MSU-E office, which is in contact with the MSU-E Gypsy Moth Education Coordinator.

• The USDA-FS has developed educational materials geared for fifth/sixth grades.  This teacher’s manual comes with a ten-minute instructional video and a gypsy moth game board, which teaches the life cycle and biology of the gypsy moth.  The manual includes rearing techniques and projects that can easily be done in the classroom.
  
  
• Michigan has a booklet entitled “The Gypsy Moth, A Workbook About Michigan’s Newest Insect” (student workbook and teacher’s guide) which is available through your local state representative.  This workbook is designed to be used as an introduction to the biology/life cycle of the gypsy moth and to be taken home by the student to be shared with parents.

Either of these materials will work well for any youth organization outside the public school system.  For more information, contact your local MSU-E office or the USDA-FS office nearest you for availability.

INFORMATION RESOURCES:
The following materials are available through the Michigan State University Extension Offices located in each county throughout Michigan, or through the MSU Bulletin office on campus.  This sample represents only a portion of the materials available and is intended to give anyone interested in gypsy moth information a good beginning knowledge.

MSU-E SHEET FACTS

E-2299 “Comparison of the Gypsy Moth, Eastern Tent & Forest Caterpillars”
E-2300 “Cloth Banding Trees to Suppress the Gypsy Moth”
E-2301 “Barrier Bands to Suppress the Gyps Moth”
E-2302 “Gypsy Moth in Michigan:  A Homeowner’s Guide”
E-2421 “Using Bt to Control Gypsy Moth”
E-2453 “Biological Control of Insects”
E-2585 “Pheromone Traps & and Gypsy Moth”
E-2591 “Homeowner’s Insecticide Options for Gypsy Moth Management” Calendar
E-2604 “Entomophage Maimaiga” – A Natural Enemy of the Gypsy Moth
E-2633 “Common Oak Defoliators in Michigan” (It’s not always Gypsy Moth)
E-2634 “Gypsy Moth & Your Shade Tree”
E-2700 “Natural Enemies of Gypsy Moth:  The Good Guys!”

VIDEO AND WORKBOOKS

Extension Video VT33 (July 1998) “Living with Gypsy Moth”
Cooperative Gypsy Moth Suppression Manual
“Gypsy Moth…the Way West,” USDA-FS Video 1991
“A Balanced Perspective,” USDA-FS Video 1992
“The Gypsy Moth in the Classroom,” Video and Workbook by Dr. E. Mullenhouer (in cooperation with the USDA-FS, 1990)
The Gypsy Moth…A Workbook About Michigan’s Newest Insect, 1994
The Gypsy Moth Activity Book, Midland County Gypsy Moth Suppression Program, 1991

INFORMATION AGENCIES

Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA)
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Michigan State University – Gypsy Moth Education Program
Michigan State University-Extension Office, County (MSU-E)
Michigan State University Department of Forestry and Entomology
United States Department of Agriculture-Forest Service (USDA-FS)
County Conversation District
Consulting Foresters, Nursery Business Persons

COMMUNITY SUPPRESSION ACTIVITIES:
There are many ways in which a community can conduct effective gypsy moth suppression activities.   Coordination between township boards, lake and property associations, city and village councils, and county boards of commissioners is necessary to fully understand the issue and service the public.

The first activity involves community monitoring of the gypsy moth population through increased male moth trapping.

By placing four traps per square mile, a higher degree of accuracy in predicting nuisance-level gypsy moth infestations can be achieved.  This information will also identify “hot spots” where suppression activities should be focused.  A designated person(s) will be needed to place the traps in the spring, collect the traps after the male moths finish flying, and then summarize the number of male moths collected.

The State of Michigan is considered generally infested throughout the Lower Peninsula and all but the far western Upper Peninsula.  Surveying for gypsy moth egg masses is now considered a more effective way of determining gypsy moth populations.

Community wood lot cleanup projects can be initiated through schools, boy or girl scouts, 4-H clubs and similar groups.  These projects include:

• searching for, county, and destroying egg masses
• removing debris where the gypsy moth females like to hide their eggs
• installing and maintaining barrier bands on special community trees
• monitoring for all gypsy moth life stages throughout the year
• making posters with photos of the gypsy moth life cycle to put in grocery stores, libraries, etc.

Special community areas to be targeted for cleanup projects include city parks, historical sites, cemeteries, etc.

Stage Natural Enemies	Life Affected
Low temperature	Eggs
A Parasite Wasp	Eggs
Ants (several species)	Eggs
Parasite Wasp (two species)	Larvae
Flies (two species)	Larvae
Spiders, ants, beetles, birds, shrews, mice, and squirrels.	Larvae
NPV (virus lethal to the gypsy moth)	Larvae
Flies (one species)	Pupae
Ground beetles, mice	Pupae
Birds (several species)	Pupae

Parasite introductions can be coordinated through the MDA to augment mechanical suppression techniques.   Ooencyrtus kuvanae (pronounced Oh-in-sert-us coo-von-ee) is a tiny wasp that parasitizes gypsy moth egg masses.  This insect is capable of parasitizing, on average, 35% of the gypsy moth eggs in each mass and is particularly valuable in sustaining low gypsy moth populations below the nuisance threshold for a longer period of time. Ooencyrtus introduction, in combination with the mechanical techniques discussed, may reduce the need for costly chemical or biological insecticide use for several years.  The MDA has over the years introduced several other parasitic insects that use the gypsy moth for their host. Ooencyrtus, however, remains the easiest and least expensive of all parasites to collect and introduce.  It is also the most stable egg parasite since it over winters successfully, reducing the need to repeat the introduction process once it has been established in a new area.

One fungal pathogen has been introduced in Michigan.  Entomophaga maimaiga is a common disease in gypsy moth populations in its native Japan.  It is thought to be the reason for population crashes in the eastern United States.

Entomophaga maimaiga over winters as a tough, thick-walled “resting spore” in the soil and in tree bark.  In May and June, resting spores germinate and produce sticky spores at the end of a stalk that grows just above the ground.  Gypsy moth caterpillars come into contact with these spores and the infected caterpillars may die within one week.  Given the correct environmental conditions in the spring, Entomophaga maimaiga will cause almost total destruction of a gypsy moth population.  Now found in many of the lower peninsula counties, MDA will continue to promote the introduction of this pathogen in the future.

Reduced passive gypsy moth introduction into the community by advising residents to check firewood carefully for gypsy moth egg masses.   Residents moving into and out of the community should be aware of possibly transporting various life stages of the gyps moth on outdoor equipment, outdoor furniture, boats, swing sets, trailers, automobiles, firewood, etc.  Careful inspections should be made before moving.  Many states not yet infested with the gypsy moth implement an intensive monitoring policy to slow the spread of the gypsy moth into their state.  By setting up pheromone traps near the residences of newcomers from infested states, these residences are monitored for passive gypsy moth introductions.  If male moths are found in these traps, then more intensive management and suppression methods are used to quickly reduce or eliminate this source.

AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILIITES:

• USDA-FS:  The United States Department of Agriculture-Forest Service has specific acts that provide authority to provide financial assistance and for review of proposals that have potential environmental consequences.  The five primary federal acts are:
• 1990 Farm Bill, Section 1218, titled “Forest Health Protection”
• Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978
• Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act of 1947
• National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
• Endangered Species Act of 1982
  
  
• USDI:  The United States Department of Interior has responsibility for reviewing proposed treatment blocks for federal threatened and endangered species habitat.
  
  
• MDA:  The Michigan Department of Agriculture has authority to suppress gypsy moth under Act 189 of 1931.  Program guidelines have been written as part of the Cooperative Gypsy Moth Suppression Manual for county coordinators.
  
  For counties to secure federal assistance, the USDA-FS requires the responsible state agency (MDA) to plan, organize, and oversee the operational decisions of the suppression program.  The MDA enters into a grant with each county participating in the suppression program.
  
  
• MDNR:  The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has responsibility for reviewing proposed treatment blocks against a database for state threatened, endangered, and special concern species habitat; also for treating state owned parks and campgrounds.
  
  
• County:  County responsibilities under the cooperative suppression program are listed in the MDA grant application, under Grantee Responsibilities.

SUMMARY:
As research continues to uncover successful methods to deal with the gypsy moth, and communities take responsibility in public awareness, coping with the gypsy moth will become easier.  One fact we can count on is that the gypsy moth is here to stay.  Efforts to learn about this insect will be worthwhile and result in the development of reasonable expectations about the gypsy moth, use of appropriate suppression methods, and reduced environmental impacts.  Monitoring is the first step to identify the presence and abundance of the gypsy moth in your community.  The final step is the complete awareness and education of the community, enabling its people to make sound, rational decisions concerning the gypsy moth.