HD2A - Increasing Public Knowledge of the Gypsy Moth; Phase II

  • Published: 1990
  • Author: Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
  • Enabling Authority: House Joint Resolution 391 (Regular Session, 1989)

Executive Summary:
As directed by House Joint Resolution 391, this study was divided into two phases. Phase I, was published July 1, 1989. Phase I identified recommendations regarding the Commonwealth's budget process and how the process might be revised to reflect the biological data gathering techniques currently used to estimate the cost of suppression programs. The Particular problem the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) encounters is forecasting populations two years in advance to coincide with the budget preparation process.

Phase II of this study was designed to address the following areas:

A. The feasibility of using gypsy moth caterpillar counts in lieu of gypsy moth egg mass counts in preparing suppression programs.

B. Encouraging local government and citizen involvement through education in the gypsy moth suppression program which would:

i. help identify problem gypsy moth populations in a timely manner and
ii. allow for more complete and effective gypsy moth programs.

Each of the above two areas are addressed in this report. A series of four different questionnaires were utilized to obtain information from clients of the Cooperative Gypsy Moth Suppression Program.

Conclusions and recommendations on each area of the Phase II study are addressed in detail at the end of each portion of the report.

In addition to the questionnaire mailed to local government gypsy moth personnel, the Department requested copies of any gypsy moth educational material produced and used by local governments. This material is on file with the Bureau of Plant Protection and may be viewed upon request.

Throughout this study, the terms "regulated area" and "generally infested areas" are used interchangeably.

VDACS' RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE FEASIBILITY OF USING LARVAL COUNTS IN LIEU OF EGG MASS COUNTS IN PREPARING SUPPRESSION PROGRAMS:

• VDACS should continue to monitor current research in methods development for predicting gypsy moth population trends.

• Until a reliable alternative survey tool is developed to predict future defoliation, the Commonwealth should continue to use established egg mass survey methods to plan and develop suppression projects.

RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO RAISE THE LEVEL OF CITIZEN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT GYPSY MOTH THROUGH BROAD-BASED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM:

• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VPI&SU) Cooperative Extension Service should conduct training of all Cooperative Extension personnel in the gypsy moth including life cycle, damage and its impact, control strategies and government control programs.

• VPI&SU Cooperative Extension Service should advertise the availability of gypsy moth educational materials to local governments at no charge to them.

• VDACS should hold a meeting of all local government officials one each year in localities where needed to explain the gypsy moth and its impact.

• Localities in cooperation with VPI&SU Cooperative Extension Service through cost sharing should develop several mobile displays explaining the gypsy moth and control strategies. The display could than be made available for use at county fairs, schools, and other public functions.

• VDACS and VPI&SU Cooperative Extension Service should jointly develop a video tape on the gypsy moth and Virginia's Cooperative Gypsy Moth Suppression Program for use by schools, local government personnel and Cooperative Extension personnel.

• VDACS Communication Office should work with the television media including cable, educational and public service, to develop a series on the gypsy moth.

• VPI&SU Cooperative Extension Service should work with the Department of Education to specifically include the study of the gypsy moth in their Standards of Learning.