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GYPSY MOTH AS A PEST OF HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY IN MASSACHUSETTS ' 



Charles F. Brodel 

 Extension Entomologist 

 Cranberry Experiment Station 

 East Warehara, MA 



Highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum L., is one of many 

 plant species occasionally used as food by the gypsy moth (GM) . 

 In most years, it escapes serious damage because GM larvae prefer 

 to feed on deciduous trees such as oak, willow, poplar, apple, 

 and certain types of birch. From 1979 to 1982, however, GM larvae 

 were numerous enough to defoliate millions of acres of deciduous 

 forest in the Northeast. Supplies of preferred foliage were ex- 

 hausted in many locations, forcing partly developed larvae to 

 seek non-preferred plants. Also, in the spring of each year, 

 countless newly hatched larvae were blown from treetops within 

 infested areas to previously uninfested sites. 



As small fruits extension specialist, I wanted to learn what 

 impact these unusual GM outbreaks have had on the Mass. highbush 

 blueberry industry. At their annual meeting this past December, 

 members of the Mass. Cultivated Blueberry Growers' Assoc, willing- 

 ly filled out a questionnaire concerning their experiences with 

 GM during the last 4 years. The following report summarizes and 

 evaluates their responses. 



The average highbush blueberry planting in southeastern Mas- 

 sachusetts occupies an area of 1.46 acres, ranging between '^ and 

 4 acres. Plantings are rather uniformly distributed, with 4 being 

 situated on or near Cape Cod, 5 in the New Bedford-Fall River 

 area, 5 in the Franklin-Holliston area, and 8 in the Brockton- 

 Plymouth area. The northwestern perimeter of the blueberry growing 

 region seems to be formed by a line of 4 plantings extending from 

 Dudley in the south to Carlisle in the north. 



Of the growers who returned questionnaires, 37% reported hav- 

 ing no problem with GM from 1979 through 1982. In most cases. 



Many thanks are extended to the members of the Mass. Cultivated 

 Blueberry Growers' Assoc, whose cooperative support made this 

 evaluation possible. 



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Mention of trade names does not constitute endorsement or recom- 

 mendation for use. 



