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Search Results for: gypsy moth

Science Behind Our Gypsy Moth Caterpillar Outbreak

June 27, 2021 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

gypsy moth caterpillar by Karla SalpThis spring, there has been larger-than-usual gypsy moth populations and leaf damage in several parts of New York State. Gypsy moths are non-native but are naturalized, meaning they will always be around in our forests.

Their populations spike in numbers roughly every 10 to 15 years, but these outbreaks are usually ended by natural causes such as disease and predators. Because of this, the State typically does not manage them and does not provide funding for treating gypsy moths on private property. [Read more…] about Science Behind Our Gypsy Moth Caterpillar Outbreak

Filed Under: Nature Tagged With: Forestry, insects, Invasive Species, nature, Wildlife

Urticating Hairs: The Defense Hairy Caterpillars

October 18, 2020 by Guest Contributor Leave a Comment

TOS_DaggerMothCatLast October, a young student in one of my nature journaling workshops pointed out a fuzzy yellow caterpillar with long black tufts.

“Those kind sting!” he declared. He was the third student that month to point out the same kind of caterpillar as stinging. I remembered being warned away from hairy caterpillars as a kid, but I’ve since picked up many – of various types – with no ill effect. I wondered, could the hairy-caterpillars-sting story be a myth? [Read more…] about Urticating Hairs: The Defense Hairy Caterpillars

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Capital-Saratoga, Hudson Valley - Catskills, Mohawk Valley, Nature, New York City, Western NY Tagged With: insects, nature, Science, Wildlife

How to Scrape Spongy Moth Eggs

April 30, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

spongy moth egg masses on a tree courtesy DECHave you noticed spongy moth egg masses in your neighborhood? Last year was a boom year for spongy moth (formerly known as gypsy moth) caterpillar populations, especially in Central and Western New York.

Egg masses contain 600-700 eggs each and will hatch around May. If you find them now, you can scrape them off trees or buildings and drop them into a container of detergent to prevent the eggs from hatching. [Read more…] about How to Scrape Spongy Moth Eggs

Filed Under: Nature Tagged With: Forestry, gardening, insects, Invasive Species, nature, trees, Wildlife

Spotted Lanternfly Look-Alikes

October 24, 2020 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

DEC's new spotted lanternfly look-alikes posterThe spotted lanternfly (SLF) is a pesky invasive pest that feeds on lots of important New York plants, such as apple trees and hop vines.

With the recent finding of spotted lanternfly (SLF) on Staten Island, it’s never been more important for people to be on the lookout for this invasive. Since SLF spreads primarily through human activity, we really can make a difference. [Read more…] about Spotted Lanternfly Look-Alikes

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Capital-Saratoga, Hudson Valley - Catskills, Mohawk Valley, Nature, New York City, Western NY Tagged With: DEC, insects, Invasive Species, nature, Spotted Lanternfly, Wildlife

DEC Announces Aerial Spraying of Six State Forest Areas

May 24, 2022 by Editorial Staff 5 Comments

Gypsy moth courtesy USDANew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced that DEC will be conducting aerial treatments for the invasive pest spongy moth (formerly known as gypsy moth) in six state forests areas in New York.

Treatment is taking place between May 20th and May 31st, weather permitting. The priority areas chosen already suffered spongy moth defoliation for multiple years and are expected to have another high level of infestation this year according to survey efforts conducted by DEC regional staff. [Read more…] about DEC Announces Aerial Spraying of Six State Forest Areas

Filed Under: Nature, Western NY Tagged With: Allegany State Park, Coyle State Forest, DEC, Forestry, insects, Invasive Species, nature, Rome Sand Plains, Rush Creek State Forest, Sonyea State Forest, South Valley State Forest, trees, Wildlife

Adirondack Forest Pests, Prevention, and Early Detection (Virtual Event)

March 1, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Emerald Ash Borer courtesy USDAThe Adirondack Garden Club (AGC) has announced “Save the Trees – Adirondack Forest Pests, Prevention, and Early Detection,” a virtual presentation looking at the concern growing over the severe and urgent threat to the health of trees posed by invasive insects, set for Tuesday, March 8th.

Invasive insects threaten all manner of trees, from apple orchard to the hemlocks holding lakeshores in place. Some forest pests were introduced to North America over a century ago, while others are new to the State of New York or are newly discovered. [Read more…] about Adirondack Forest Pests, Prevention, and Early Detection (Virtual Event)

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Events, Nature Tagged With: Adirondack Garden Club

How Insects Spend A New York Winter

January 23, 2021 by Guest Contributor Leave a Comment

TOS_Insects_MourningCloakI consider the lack of biting insects and other invertebrates, to be a wondrous gift of the winter season.

I can wander unmolested through wood and field absent the attentions of mosquitoes, deer flies, and ticks. And aside from a short list of “usual suspects,” insects are a rarity to be encountered in the winter woods. [Read more…] about How Insects Spend A New York Winter

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Hudson Valley - Catskills, Mohawk Valley, Nature, Western NY Tagged With: bees, insects, nature, weather, Wildlife, winter

October National Firewood Awareness Month

October 2, 2020 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

wood pile courtesy Wikimedia user Chmee2Many people take wood from their properties as they head out to camp, hunt, or enjoy the great outdoors, but most don’t realize their wood may be hiding the eggs, larvae, spores, adults, or even seeds of invasive threats.

Transporting infested firewood allows invasives to spread further and faster than these pests could or would have on their own. [Read more…] about October National Firewood Awareness Month

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Capital-Saratoga, Hudson Valley - Catskills, Mohawk Valley, Nature, New York City, Recreation, Western NY Tagged With: camping, DEC, Invasive Species

The Decline of Lord Baltimore’s Orioles

June 15, 2020 by Guest Contributor 1 Comment

Baltimore Oriole courtesy Wikimedia user TonyCastroI grew up on a street lined with tall, stately elms. While walking to school one day, I found a bird’s nest that the wind had blown down. The nest was a beautiful, silky gray pouch. My teacher helped me identify it as a Baltimore oriole’s nest. Over the years, I found a couple of similar nests, as elms are a favorite nesting tree of orioles. [Read more…] about The Decline of Lord Baltimore’s Orioles

Filed Under: Adirondacks & NNY, Capital-Saratoga, Hudson Valley - Catskills, Mohawk Valley, Nature, New York City, Western NY Tagged With: birding, birds, nature, Wildlife

Lips and Walls: Digging into Tree Decay

November 23, 2021 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Callus tissue around a tree wound courtesy Jardin botanique de Montréal (Robert Mineau photo)When clients call about decay in large older trees, every so often it’s necessary to respond that I’m not interested in hearing any lip from them. I do this respectfully of course.

It’s a frequent misconception that the roll of callus tissue or “lip” that trees produce at the margins of a wound will cause, or at least accelerate, trunk rot by catching and holding a small amount of rainwater.

It makes perfect sense to us that if an open tree wound is allowed to stay wet for longer, it will decay faster. We all know that a stack of wood exposed to the elements will turn punky in a few years, whereas if it’s kept in a dry shed it can last indefinitely. [Read more…] about Lips and Walls: Digging into Tree Decay

Filed Under: Nature Tagged With: Forestry, fungi, gardening, Science, trees

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