Slow the Spread of the Gypsy Moth Project Trapping Manual

The Slow The Spread of the Gypsy Moth Project 1

Your principal job responsibilities 2

Delta trap information and instructions 2

Milk carton trap information and instructions 4

Identifying gypsy moth life stages 6

Day in the life of a trapper 8

General Instructions 9

Contacting the property owner 9

Trap Placement 10

Where NOT to set traps and Labeling traps in the field 11

Numbering traps during trap set 12

Filling out your survey notebook 13

Day in the life of a trapper – trap check 16

General instructions 17

Look alikes 18

Numbering traps during trap check and removal 19

Replacing traps 20

Removing traps 21

Landowner refusal 21

What the GPS Tells Us 25

Getting Inside the Target Circle 27

Using A Compass – The Basics 28

Problem solving 30

Error Correction 30

How serious a pest is the gypsy moth?
The GYPSY MOTH (Lymantria dispar L.) is one of the most destructive insect pests of trees and shrubs in eastern North America, where it has defoliated millions of acres. It is native to Europe and Asia and was brought to the United States in 1869. Gypsy moth caterpillars feed on tree and shrub leaves in the spring when plants need this new foliage for their own growth. This stress can leave the tree weakened and more susceptible to disease, attack by other insects, and environmental stresses such as drought.
The gypsy moth is named for its habit of "hitch-hiking" on plant material and outdoor household items such as cars, boats and mobile homes, and travelers may unknowingly bring the pest to new areas. Female moths will attach egg masses to nearly any stationary object. Egg masses may then be carried to new locations where they may start new and devastating infestations if not detected early and eradicated.


The Slow the Spread of the Gypsy Moth Project
The Slow the Spread (STS) Project is a large integrated pest management (IPM) project directed at the gypsy moth. The project, under the aegis of the US Forest Service, involves several administrative agencies at both state and federal levels. Participating states include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

While traditional approaches to gypsy moth management address potentially defoliating populations occurring in generally infested areas, the STS project focuses on populations in the area between that of general infestation and generally uninfested. In this transition zone, populations are low and somewhat discontinuous. Male moths are the primary population indicators, and other life stages are rarely found. The project attempts to meet its goals by conducting intensive monitoring with pheromone-baited traps in order to detect isolated or low-level populations in the transition zone. Although all available tactics to control gypsy moth populations will be considered, emphasis is placed upon the most environmentally benign tactic which meets management objectives.

1. 
   Punch out drainage holes while trap is still folded.
   

2. 
   Staple the lure to the non-sticky side of the trap so that it hangs free. Figure 2
   

3. 
   Pull open trap-pull sticky sides away from each other. Figure 2
   

4. 
   Fold trap into a triangle. Fold top flap over and staple both ends near the outside of the trap so that the staple is horizontal and near the base of the trap Figure 3
   

5. 
   Fold corners in at both ends. Figure 4
   

6. 
   Fold in sides at both ends. It is best to fold all three flaps simultaneously. If ends are not folded properly, moth entry may be restricted. Figure 5
   

7. 
   Staple or tie trap to tree at chest height; approximately 4-5 feet from the ground. On young or thin-barked trees, use string and tie trap to tree. Figure 6
   

• 
  Do not assemble the traps more than two days in advance. The lures are very sensitive to summer temperatures and must be stored in a freezer until ready for use. Once they are taken from the freezer, they are effective for approximately 12 weeks at 85-degrees. It is important to keep the lures and baited traps in a cool place.
  

• 
  Handle the string lure as little as possible and wash your hands after assembling traps.
  

1. 
   Unfold trap, bend at creases and punch out drainage holes and entrance windows. Figure 1
   

2. 
   Staple bottom flaps to secure the trap bottom. Figure 2
   

3. 
   Slide hood (shiny side upward) over the body and slide tabs on hood into the perforation on the trap body. Using a stapler attach the hood tabs to the body. Figure 3
   

4. 
   Prepare the string lure and DDVP strip for installation. DDVP strips should be assembled and installed at the trap site location. Vinyl gloves should be utilized when handling both the DDVP strip and string lure due to the health hazard associated with these [refer to Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) ] Figure 4
   

5. 
   The DDVP strip and string lure are stapled to a 7” twist tie. Place a 1” fold at one end of the twist tie. Staple the DDVP to the opposite end taking care to leave the protective packaging around the DDVP strip until trap deployment. Figure 5
   

6. 
   Attach string lure perpendicular to the twist tie 2 ½ “ above the DDVP strip with staple pliers. Figure 6
   

7. 
   Insert twist tie into the trap body with the one inch fold facing up. Place the top of the twist tie just behind where the pour spout will open and staple. To close the trap, staple the top of the trap opposite of the pour spout. Use a paper clip or small twist tie to secure the spout. Figure 7
   

8. 
   Trap should be hung with 18” floral wire to a suitable host type at eye level. Figure 8
   

• 
  It is recommended to not assemble the traps until you are in the field. The lures and DDVP strip are very sensitive to summer temperatures. Heat inside a car will activate chemical release in the DDVP strip which is a health hazard. Both the string lure and DDVP strip should be transported in a cooler while in a vehicle. It is important to keep the lures and DDVP in a cool dry place at all times.
  

• 
  Handle both the DDVP strips and the pheromone lure as little as possible and wash your hands after assembling.
  

Figure 1 Figure 2

Figure 3 Figure 4

Figure 5 Figure 6

Figure 7

Cut away image to show inside of trap Figure 8

• 
  Plan route, stay organized, make sure you have enough traps constructed for the day’s trapping.
  

• 
  Drive to target circle and find good spot. Approach house with trapping materials including brochure and door hanger. Ask permission to place traps on private property. If no one is home, leave message on door hanger.
  

• 
  Write the trap name on trap and staple to tree. Flip trap to make sure it is secure.
  

• 
  Record GPS data and fill out survey notebook.
  

• 
  Look at map, navigate to next trap.
  

• 
  Repeat until end of day.
  

• 
  Construct enough traps for the next day of trapping.
  

1. 
   Identify yourself.
   

2. 
   Briefly explain your purpose, show the trap and offer the homeowner a gypsy moth brochure.
   

3. 
   If the resident refuses, thank them for their time and move on to the next house.
   

4. 
   Ask resident not to move the trap to a new location.
   

5. 
   NEVER step into a home, even if invited, this is for your safety.
   

6. 
   If no one is home, and the location is acceptable, leave a door hanger notice. Make sure you fill out the trap location and 9-digit trap name on the door hanger. Place door hanger inside screen or storm door if possible. Note: IT IS ILLEGAL TO LEAVE NOTICE IN A MAILBOX!
   

• 
  Air circulation: Traps are baited with a sex pheromone that is dispersed by the wind. Make certain there is adequate air circulation and avoid hanging trap in dense foliage. This also assures a clear flight path to the trap for the male moths.
  

• 
  Sunlight: Avoid placing the trap where it will be exposed to direct sunlight for a prolonged period of time. Sunlight will break down the laminated exterior of the trap and may decrease the effective life of the pheromone strip. Think open shade or north sides of trees.
  

• 
  Wooded situations: Place the trap on the edge or corner of the woodlot rather than deep in the interior. Gypsy moths tend to favor edges and corners. If there are no good landmarks nearby, use vinyl flagging ribbon to mark the area.
  

• 
  Hanging height: Place the trap on a tree at chest height (4-5 feet off the ground) and on the north side of the tree. This is optimal trapping height and allows for easier inspection during trap checks. Once you’ve stapled the trap, flip it up once or twice to make sure it is firmly attached.
  

• 
  On school property or along paths where children walk to school
  
• 
  Places where children play
  
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  In parks or picnic areas at sites where people can see the trap (place trap out of sight)
  
• 
  On properties with vicious dogs or “Beware of Dog” signs
  
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  On properties with "For Sale" signs or construction underway
  
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  At sites behind gates; the gate may be locked next time
  
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  Where animals such as cattle or horses can disturb the trap
  
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  On extremely dusty roads
  
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  In the middle of dense foliage
  
• 
  On tress that will be covered in poison ivy/oak, honeysuckle, etc.
  
• 
  At sites where road construction is scheduled or in progress
  
• 
  On branches of trees and shrubs overhanging roads
  
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  On trees in parking lots
  
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  On side of host tree facing public sidewalks or streets
  
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  On trees marked for cutting or removal
  
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  On newly planted or young trees
  
• 
  On birch as the bark can be damaged from staples, use string if no other site available
  
• 
  Near a sprinkler
  

Traps should be marked using a black wax/grease pencil or permanent marker. Use the trap name from the corresponding trap location on your map. DO NOT number traps ahead of time.

• 
  Take a GPS point and enter the trap code
  
• 
  Immediately complete the paperwork for the trap including a brief site sketch
  
• 
  As accurately as possible mark the quad map at the trap location
  
• 
  Plan route to next trap