UMass Extension Landscape Message #4 - 2015

RE Winter Moth

Excerpt:

"Some good news with all this snow is that it actually protects the winter moth parasitoid fly, Cyzenis albicans, so in the areas where Cyzenis
were released, there hopefully will be great survival and lots of these
flies to emerge and to continue their work in reducing winter moth
populations. In fact, Cyzenis albicans flies have been released at 30 sites (from CT, RI, and MA to ME) and UMass Entomologist, Dr. Joe Elkinton hopes to release Cyzenis albicans
flies at 10 more sites this spring. According to UMass Entomologist
Jeff Boettner, “the goal is to collect winter moth caterpillars from as
many of the 30 release sites as possible and rear them, to try to see
how many Cyzenis flies are being produced and how far they are spreading.”

Dr. Elkinton is looking for volunteers to help collect caterpillars
in mid to late May, and he is organizing some collecting event days. If
you are interested in volunteering to help Dr. Elkinton and his crew
collect winter moth caterpillars this coming May, please send him an
email at elkinton@psis.umass.edu."

Report by Deborah Swanson, UMass Extension Horticulturist for Plymouth County - Retired, reporting from Hanson

-Claire