Influences on individual initiative to use gypsy moth control in New Hampshire, USA

Abstract

/ Socioeconomic, demographic, and attitudinal factors likely to influence individual initiative to use control measures against gypsy moth infestation in New Hampshire are examined. Data were acquired through a mail survey from 629 individuals in three targeted towns: Bow, Conway, and Exeter. Using Iogit regression analysis, numerous variables are shown to be statistically significant in influencing an individual's willingness to use control measures. The influencing factors include: the individual knowing the difference between the gypsy moth caterpillar and the eastern tent caterpillar; the individual being a homeowner rather than a renter; the number of acres of land accompanying the individual's dwelling; the number of trees on the individual's property; the individual's gender; and the individual's level of income. Aesthetic damage and the nuisance caused by gypsy moth infestation were the primary reasons for individuals to use control measures. The results from this study indicate that the motivation behind an individual's initiative to use control measures is influenced by diverse and varying factors. The models, methodology, and results as applied and presented here are exploratory in nature, yet could prove informative for researchers seeking a greater understanding of the interaction between humans and insect pests.The gypsy moth has become the primary detoliator of hardwood forests in the northeastern United States since its introduction in Massachusetts in 1869 (USDA Forest Service 1989). In New Hampshire the gypsy moth has had an adverse impact on the state's vital forest resources. In 1981, when the gypsy moth population last peaked, 2,000,000 acres of New Hampshire's forests were infested (USDA Forest Service 1982), resulting in the severe defoliation of 195,000 acres (DennisJ. Suoto, USDA Forest Service, personal communication 1991). Gypsy moth infestation in New Hampshire has also affected the lives of the state's residents, as the presence of caterpillar infestations has proven to be a financial hindrance and psychological nuisance to many people (National Gypsy Moth Management Group, Inc. 1991).Despite the detriment caused by gypsy moth infestation in commercial torest stands, parks, resort and recreation areas, and forested residential communities, and despite ominous predictions for future gypsy KEY WORDS: Gypsy moth infestation; Individual control measures; Logit analysis; Predicted probability; Mail survey *Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. moth infestation and likely damage, New Hampshire has no state control l)rogratn to mitigate the problem. Most other states affectcd by the gypsy moth, such as Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia, have implemented control programs, operating on the municipal, county, and state levels. Thcse programs usually use the techniques of integrated pest management (1PM) to suppress gypsy moth infestation. IPM can include the use of biological and/or chemical pesticides, parasite an...