Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) Population Control Using Mechanical Barriers and Contact Insecticides Applied to Tree Stems

Laboratory evaluation of two novel strategies to control first‐instar gypsy moth larvae with spinosad applied to tree trunks

“…16, 27–29 These studies also reported inconsistent foliage protection provided by sticky barrier bands, ranging from 0 to 47%. Their efficacy may depend on the characteristics of the infestation; better results were obtained with isolated trees under high pressure 15. 16 Moreover, late‐instar gypsy moth larvae can move from untreated trees that have become completely defoliated to treated experimental trees, and thus bias subsequent evaluations of defoliation and egg mass density 6.…”

“…The only report of effects on population density combined insecticides with the stem treatments. Blumenthal and Hoover15 applied two benzoylphenylurea insecticides directly to the tree stems or the burlap refugia attached to the tree stems. Five applications coinciding with the larval stages resulted in subsequent reductions in egg mass density of about 50%.…”

“…Burlap bands attached to the base of the tree trunk have been used to trap and monitor large larvae that use the burlap as a preferred resting site during the day 14. Also, sticky barrier bands have been used to trap 1st‐instar larvae that crawl up the tree stem after hatching 15. 16 Blumenthal and Hoover15 evaluated the effectiveness of multiple applications of carbaryl, triflumuron, diflubenzuron and a pyrethroid mixture to red oak tree trunks beginning at peak egg eclosion.…”

Mechanical Barrier for Preventing Climbing by Lesser Mealworm (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Hide Beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) Larvae in Poultry Houses

“…The reasons for this increase in prevalence are unclear, but may be due to a combination of improved ventilation in many facilities (Geden et al 1999b) and adaptation by the beetles to the poultry house environment. Mechanical barriers have long been used as a method for excluding lepidopterans from reaching tree canopies (Blumenthal andHoover 1986, Forbush andFernald 1896), for excluding pests from agricultural crops (Jansson et al 1987), and for excluding beneÞcial insects and competitors in ecological studies (Miller 1985, Holopainen andVaris 1986). Our results demonstrate that lesser mealworm and hide beetle larvae can be prevented from climbing support posts and walls in poultry houses by the use of a polyethylene terepthalate plastic barrier.…”

The Effect of Sticky Bands on Cankerworm Abundance and Defoliation in Urban Trees

“…However, applying insecticide to large trees in densely populated areas is difficult, expensive, and has consequences for non-target organisms and the environment (Cole et al 1967;Miller 1990;Tobin et al 2012). Another method, tree banding, has been used to manage cankerworms (Britton 1900;La France and Westwood 2006;Eirich 2008) and other lepidopteran pests, such as gypsy moths (Collins and Hood 1920;Blumenthal and Hoover 1986) and winter moths (Otvos and Hunt 1986) that climb tree trunks as larvae or adults. Tree banding entails wrapping a weatherproof material, such as plastic tape, in a narrow band around a tree trunk and then covering the band with a sticky substance to trap flightless female moths before they reach the tree crown to deposit egg masses (Britton 1900).…”