PLANT PEST CONTROL DIVISION 

 Peter C. Kuzmiski, Director 



The defoliation of over two million acres of woodland and ornamental trees 

 in this state by the Gypsy Moth was of major concern this year. During the 

 previous year, this pest caused defoliation to over nine hundred thousand acres. 

 One can see that 1981 was a banner year for this pest. 



The magnitude of this problem in the Northeast may well be shown by a few 

 pertinent facts which can help to show this situation in proper perspective. 

 Defoliated acreage in 1981 exceeded the cumulative total for the previous 

 eight years. The 1981 acreage also represents 31% of the total defoliation 

 which occurred in the 57 years since 1924 when compiling records began. Also, 

 the combined defoliation for 1980 and 1981 represents 41% of the total 

 recorded. 



From these facts it is evident that it will be difficult to deal with this 

 pest not only in the Northeast but nationwide as well, if Gypsy Moth populations 

 continue to build up in the infested areas and continue to advance to the South 

 and West. 



Some control measures for this pest were carried out here by private and 

 municipal agencies with varying degrees of success. State and Federal controls 

 were quite limited due to budget constraints and opposition to chemical controls. 



In our annual inspection of nurseries throughout the state it was noted 

 that the Gypsy Moth was not too serious a pest, although some damage was done 

 to young evergreen plantations growing adjacent to heavily infested wooded 

 areas. The regularly scheduled pest controls practiced by our nurserymen 

 managed to keep damage to their plants by this pest to a minimum. 



Trapping and surveys were continued for presence of the Gypsy Moth, European 

 Chafer and Red Stele disease of strawberry plants. No new finds of the European 

 Chafer or Red Stele disease were recorded, and the Gypsy Moth survey was confined 

 to the nurseries and lands abutting the nurseries. 



Inspections and certifications were made to allow the shipping of plants 

 and seed into other states and countries. Plants growing here from foreign 

 countries were examined and grown under quarantine as required under the federal 

 postentry plant quarantine. 



In our public information activities many inquiries were received relative 

 to numerous phases of agriculture and horticulture. Information was disseminated 

 via telephone, correspondence, personal visits and news media. Participation 

 in weekly and monthly radio programs by the Division personnel was continued 

 this year. 



Inspection of honey bees continued this year with emphasis on colonies 

 located in Worcester, Norfolk, Plymouth, Hampshire and Hampden counties. 

 Incidence of the foul brood diseases averaged from 3 to 4% depending upon the 

 geographical locations of the colonies. Honey flow was poor at the start of 

 the season due to drought conditions; however, the flow was good after the 

 fruit bloom in May. 



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