Public meeting for Gypsy Moth treatments to be held in Lansing April 6

The European Gypsy Moth is a destructive defoliator of over 300 species of trees and shrubs, especially oaks. Repeated defoliation by gypsy moth weakens trees and can ultimately lead to tree death.
Public meetings will be held in the two counties where treatments are planned in 2016. The public is invited to learn more about gypsy moth, view maps of the proposed treatment areas and ask questions. Representatives from Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will be present.
Public meetings are set for the following locations:
Tuesday, April 5 at 7 p.m. at the Bellevue Community Center, 1700 State Street in Bellevue, Jackson County.
Wednesday, April 6 at 7 p.m. at Kerndt Brothers Savings Bank Community Center, 395 Main Street in Lansing.
Iowa is part of the Gypsy Moth Slow the Spread program. This program has reduced the rate of the advancing front of gypsy moth that is slowly expanding westward into Iowa, primarily in the northeast area of the state. Iowa plans to use aerial applied mating disruption pheromone to control gypsy moth populations. The pheromone used is specific to gypsy moths.
An additional public notice will occur prior to treatment. A tentative treatment timeframe has been set for the end of June, but weather conditions could potentially delay efforts.
Maps of the treatment areas and other gypsy moth information can be found online at http://iowagypsymoth.com. Questions can also be directed to Mike Kintner, IDALS EAB/Gypsy Moth coordinator at 515-745-2877 or Mike.Kintner@IowaAgriculture.gov.