Gypsy Moths return to Southern New England

[Dalmatian90]

Ain't seen a year like this since I was 10 or so...which was 35 years ago. Few bad pockets around here, not as bad as the worst I've seen.

We've had a few years in a row when the spring was too dry for the fungus that has kept them in check for decades.

Late May:

Late June:

Gonna have to go sight-seeing out near the Scituate Reservoir...dang!

 

[Jhenderson]

Ain't much to see, looks like March. Southern RI seems hardest hit. They're off the oaks wich have been stripped clean and onto the white pine. Looks like 1982.

 

[Franny K]

More like 1972 in my memory. Some oak are mostly stripped leaf scraps on the ground almost like fall. Little turd pebbles staining concrete sidewalk or bird bath. 10 miles away no real evidence. Last year was a record year for acorns not sure if that has any bearing. They only seem to be eating the oaks. They do not seem to be letting out 20 feet of string and blowing in the wind like in the early 70's, maybe they will start that soon.

 

[zogger]

More like 1972 in my memory. Some oak are mostly stripped leaf scraps on the ground almost like fall. Little turd pebbles staining concrete sidewalk or bird bath. 10 miles away no real evidence. Last year was a record year for acorns not sure if that has any bearing. They only seem to be eating the oaks. They do not seem to be letting out 20 feet of string and blowing in the wind like in the early 70's, maybe they will start that soon.

Man, I remember that, double whammy year, gypsy moths and dutch elm. Seems to me that particular winter was double nasty too, lot of 15-20 below days, but just moderate snow... but..my memory might be hazy on that recollection.