Gypsy Moth Detections Increase in Oregon This Year (AUDIO)

The detection of a single Asian gypsy moth in St. Helens near the Columbia River is serious. It marks only the third time that an Asian variety has been trapped in Oregon.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - A total of 66 gypsy moths have been trapped in Oregon this year, up from nine last year.

Of those 66, 57 were detected in a Bend residential area.

Kathleen Johnson of the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Insect Pest Prevention and Management Program says most of the time, gypsy moths are found west of the Oregon Cascades.

"We have found gypsy moths occasionally on the east side. But this is the first time we've actually been able to identify an infestation and they appear to do quite well there."

The infestation in Bend has been traced to a property owner who bought a 1967 Chevy from Connecticut over the internet.

"It's a new pathway for us to have someone purchase an item on e-bay, have it shipped out to Oregon and have it come contaminated with gypsy moth life stages."

The other site of concern is in St. Helens, where an Asian gypsy moth was trapped near the Columbia River.

As a result of this year's detection program, ODA expects to propose eradication projects next spring in both Bend and St. Helens.

In Salem, I’m Kevin Hays reporting for Salem-News.com