Gypsy Moth in B.C.Gypsy Moth in B.C.

A Case Study in Urban EntomologyA Case Study in Urban EntomologyTim Ebata, MSc, RPFTim Ebata, MSc, RPFForest Practices Branch, BCMOFForest Practices Branch, BCMOF

BiologyBiology Egg masses laid in late summer; hairs from Egg masses laid in late summer; hairs from

female protectfemale protect Hatching of eggs usually in early MayHatching of eggs usually in early May 1st instars disperse by ballooning1st instars disperse by ballooning Caterpillars go through 5 to 6 instarsCaterpillars go through 5 to 6 instars Pupate in mid-summerPupate in mid-summer Adults emerge in late summer, females Adults emerge in late summer, females

have wings but are flightlesshave wings but are flightless

BiologyBiology

BiologyBiology

History in North AmericaHistory in North America Originally from Europe (also Asian)Originally from Europe (also Asian) Imported to Medford, Mass. By Imported to Medford, Mass. By

Leopold Trouvelot in 1869Leopold Trouvelot in 1869 wanted to “cross” native moths to wanted to “cross” native moths to

produce a silk worm industryproduce a silk worm industry Cages blew over, the rest was Cages blew over, the rest was

historyhistory First outbreak recorded in 1890 First outbreak recorded in 1890

attempts to eradicate failedattempts to eradicate failed By 1994, By 1994, spread throughout E. NA

but not in the West.but not in the West.

History in B.C.History in B.C. 1911- First reported on plants imported from 1911- First reported on plants imported from

Europe (destroyed on dock)Europe (destroyed on dock) 1978 - Kitsilano infestation - canoe from 1978 - Kitsilano infestation - canoe from

Quebec, eradicated with CarbarylQuebec, eradicated with Carbaryl Since then >120 different locations where GM Since then >120 different locations where GM

have been found, some required eradication, have been found, some required eradication, most died out on ownmost died out on own

Complete history on Complete history on Gypsy Moth web site

DamageDamage Feeds on over 300 different shrub and Feeds on over 300 different shrub and

tree speciestree species Each caterpillar can eat up to 100 cmEach caterpillar can eat up to 100 cm22

of foliage (two leaves per day for a late of foliage (two leaves per day for a late instar larva)instar larva)

Outbreaks in hardwood forests in the Outbreaks in hardwood forests in the east are very dramaticeast are very dramatic

DamageDamage

DamageDamage Human HealthHuman Health Masses of larvae Masses of larvae

covering everythingcovering everything Hairs are “urticating” Hairs are “urticating”

- allergies- allergies

Damage Damage cont’dcont’d

In BC, threat is not to commercial forest In BC, threat is not to commercial forest even though conifers can be consumedeven though conifers can be consumed

Poses a possible trade restriction tool - Poses a possible trade restriction tool - inspections, certification, quarantinesinspections, certification, quarantines

Goods that can transport egg masses - Goods that can transport egg masses - nursery stock, logs with bark, Xmas treesnursery stock, logs with bark, Xmas trees

Vehicles, OHAsVehicles, OHAs

Damage cont’dDamage cont’d US market is the largest export market US market is the largest export market

for B.C.for B.C. California is extremely concerned with California is extremely concerned with

the GM threatthe GM threat Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana,

Calif., etc. all conduct similar detection Calif., etc. all conduct similar detection and eradication programs as B.C.and eradication programs as B.C.

Damage Damage cont’dcont’d

Ecological impactsEcological impacts serious competitor to native lepsserious competitor to native leps in east, change tree species diversity in east, change tree species diversity

(remove oak)(remove oak) most sensitive ecosystem is Canada’s most most sensitive ecosystem is Canada’s most

endangered: the Garry Oak Meadowendangered: the Garry Oak Meadow Oaks are the favoured hostOaks are the favoured host

DetectionDetection Pheromone trappingPheromone trapping

Deciding on a densityDeciding on a density International standards International standards density related to density related to

previous year’s trapping previous year’s trapping resultsresults

Egg mass samplingEgg mass sampling Tree banding Tree banding

(established (established populations only)populations only)

Trapping ProtocolTrapping ProtocolNanaimo, 1999Nanaimo, 1999

TreatmentTreatment SprayingSpraying

BtkBtk Gypchek (virus)Gypchek (virus)

Mass trappingMass trapping Egg mass removal / Host removalEgg mass removal / Host removal Sterile male releaseSterile male release Bio-control agentsBio-control agents quarantinesquarantines

Spraying MethodsSpraying Methods Ground SprayingGround Spraying

vegetation specificvegetation specific small areas can be small areas can be

treatedtreated access limitedaccess limited all day/ higher exposure all day/ higher exposure

rate to applicators and rate to applicators and publicpublic

inconvenient to residentsinconvenient to residents can deny accesscan deny access

Spraying MethodsSpraying Methods Aerial SprayingAerial Spraying

fast, completed in fast, completed in morningmorning

lowest cost per halowest cost per ha proven effectivenessproven effectiveness can treat large areascan treat large areas ““fear” of overhead fear” of overhead

spraying - noisespraying - noise aircraft safetyaircraft safety weather dependentweather dependent

What is Btk?What is Btk? Bacillus thuringiensisBacillus thuringiensis var var kurstakikurstaki Naturally occurring soil organismNaturally occurring soil organism Over 30 types of Bt Over 30 types of Bt only kurstaki is specific to caterpillarsonly kurstaki is specific to caterpillars HD-1 strain most effectiveHD-1 strain most effective other varieties for mosquitos, black flies, other varieties for mosquitos, black flies,

grubsgrubs

Btk Mode of ActionBtk Mode of Action 2 forms of bacterium2 forms of bacterium

1) vegetative (growing) form - non-1) vegetative (growing) form - non-insecticidal, common in soilinsecticidal, common in soil

2) spore (resting) + crystallized endo-toxin 2) spore (resting) + crystallized endo-toxin protein protein

Mode of ActionMode of Action Larva feeds on leaf eats spores and crystalsLarva feeds on leaf eats spores and crystals alkaline gut dissolves crystal and enzymes alkaline gut dissolves crystal and enzymes

break large protein into smaller toxic protein break large protein into smaller toxic protein fragmentsfragments

these fragments bind with receptors on mid-these fragments bind with receptors on mid-gut wall and causes “leaks”gut wall and causes “leaks”

death by bacterial infection and starvationdeath by bacterial infection and starvation

Mode of ActionMode of Action

Foray 48BForay 48B One of many commercial Btk formulations One of many commercial Btk formulations

(can’t patent Btk)(can’t patent Btk) Foray 48B the best for GM and other speciesForay 48B the best for GM and other species 2.1% Btk, 90% water, 7.9% inerts (proprietary 2.1% Btk, 90% water, 7.9% inerts (proprietary

ingredients)ingredients) secrecy of inerts creates controversy and secrecy of inerts creates controversy and

hysteriahysteria inerts = fermentation by-products, stabilizers, inerts = fermentation by-products, stabilizers,

stickers, UV protectors, preservativesstickers, UV protectors, preservatives

Foray 48B Foray 48B cont’dcont’d

Inerts improve the effectiveness of Btk by aiding Inerts improve the effectiveness of Btk by aiding spread, adherence to leaves, and protection spread, adherence to leaves, and protection from UVfrom UV

Ingredients known by Health Canada’s PMRA & Ingredients known by Health Canada’s PMRA & US EPAUS EPA

formulation is a trade secret formulation is a trade secret Coke vs. PepsiCoke vs. Pepsi rate: 4 l/ ha; about 1 coffee mug per average rate: 4 l/ ha; about 1 coffee mug per average

residential lot of which only a tablespoon is Btkresidential lot of which only a tablespoon is Btk

How to conduct an aerial sprayHow to conduct an aerial spray

Get approval – legislation, gov’t backing, Get approval – legislation, gov’t backing, permits (PUP, DOT)permits (PUP, DOT)

Get the budgetGet the budget Buy the BtkBuy the Btk Get the contractors set upGet the contractors set up SecuritySecurity Communications – key to successful Communications – key to successful

programprogram

ISSUESISSUES To address concerns of the EAB and public, 3 To address concerns of the EAB and public, 3

studies commissionedstudies commissioned Health surveillance studyHealth surveillance study song bird studysong bird study non-target lepidopteranon-target lepidoptera

Results:Results: no significant impacts to humans or birds (confirms no significant impacts to humans or birds (confirms

published info)published info) non-target leps were depressed (no surprise) ~ non-target leps were depressed (no surprise) ~

concerns with rare & endangered concerns with rare & endangered

““Believe it or not”Believe it or not” Aerial spraying brings out emotions - Aerial spraying brings out emotions -

mistrust of government, industry, unknown mistrust of government, industry, unknown (too much X-files syndrome)(too much X-files syndrome)

““Silent Spring” mentalitySilent Spring” mentality poor basic knowledge of biology, poor basic knowledge of biology,

economics, health, concept of riskeconomics, health, concept of risk 604 & 250 syndrome604 & 250 syndrome BC highest users of alternative medicineBC highest users of alternative medicine

““Believe it or Not”Believe it or Not” Spray responsible Spray responsible

for:for: rain over Oak Bayrain over Oak Bay broken shower doorbroken shower door dogs with runny dogs with runny

nosesnoses dead turtlesdead turtles dead flocks of birdsdead flocks of birds

““eerie stillness” eerie stillness” around lakearound lake

sick horsessick horses chronic fatigue, chronic fatigue,

nausea, gout, failed nausea, gout, failed marriages, etc.marriages, etc.

causing a crazed bug causing a crazed bug to deliberately fly into to deliberately fly into his eyehis eye

mutated insectsmutated insects

Questions?Questions?