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Protecting Forests Against the Gypsy Moth

Gypsy Moth
creative commons
Gypsy Moth

TAZEWELL, Va. (AP) - Areas in nine Virginia counties will be treated this week to protect forests from gypsy moths.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says aerial spraying will begin Monday in Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Grayson, Russell, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington and Wythe counties. The spraying will continue through Thursday.

The gypsy moth is a non-native caterpillar that has become established in most of the northeastern United States. It feeds on more than 500 species of trees and shrubs.

The treatment program is a joint effort by the state and the U.S. Forest Service.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.