penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
I was delighted by the slightly warmer temps these past couple of winters because I had fewer concerns regarding winter damage. Now I am hoping for a few cold winters. The Gypsy moth returned to my area like I have not experienced in decades. Apparently they handle down to 16 F with no problem, and in some instances can handle colder temperature lows. For those who have not experienced their presence first hand, and for those who need a reminder, let me briefly describe the pleasure of the company of these creatures.
It starts when you are working in the woods and you hear what sounds like a light rain around you. Then you recognize the caterpillars feces, small black pellets about half the size of a grain of rice raining down of you. A few days later pieces of oak leaves descend as though a hail storm has torn them living from the trees. The smelly black feces and the leaf litter build up on all surfaces and stain the wood and stone. This continues a few weeks and then you see the trunks of you 60 to 100 foot oaks covered with hoards of these invaders. Soon afterward, they are on the buildings, vehicles, and all other surfaces including my bonsai benches. The Gypsy moth's love for oaks spares many of the other trees but you have to maintain vigilance because there are over 100 trees they will feed on, and they have few predators. During a wet season as we have had this past spring, many of these caterpillars will die from a fungus disease that leaves their smelly carcasses hanging from the trunks of your trees and structures. You began to rejoice a little at the sight of these dead little bodies. But now, you can't walk outside without thousands of erratic moths flying in your face searching for a mate, and you realize........They will be back. There are a lot more nasty things I could share about these creatures, but that would take all the joy out of it. I will add that many people have allergic reactions similair to poison ivy from the caterpillars and from the egg masses that will soon appear. Sometimes this happens with air born particles and does not even require touching. It plays havoc with you respiratory system, particularly if you are already compromised with asthma, copd or a similar issue.
Have a good day.
It starts when you are working in the woods and you hear what sounds like a light rain around you. Then you recognize the caterpillars feces, small black pellets about half the size of a grain of rice raining down of you. A few days later pieces of oak leaves descend as though a hail storm has torn them living from the trees. The smelly black feces and the leaf litter build up on all surfaces and stain the wood and stone. This continues a few weeks and then you see the trunks of you 60 to 100 foot oaks covered with hoards of these invaders. Soon afterward, they are on the buildings, vehicles, and all other surfaces including my bonsai benches. The Gypsy moth's love for oaks spares many of the other trees but you have to maintain vigilance because there are over 100 trees they will feed on, and they have few predators. During a wet season as we have had this past spring, many of these caterpillars will die from a fungus disease that leaves their smelly carcasses hanging from the trunks of your trees and structures. You began to rejoice a little at the sight of these dead little bodies. But now, you can't walk outside without thousands of erratic moths flying in your face searching for a mate, and you realize........They will be back. There are a lot more nasty things I could share about these creatures, but that would take all the joy out of it. I will add that many people have allergic reactions similair to poison ivy from the caterpillars and from the egg masses that will soon appear. Sometimes this happens with air born particles and does not even require touching. It plays havoc with you respiratory system, particularly if you are already compromised with asthma, copd or a similar issue.
Have a good day.
