June 4, 2021 · 0 Comments
By Sam Odrowski
The presence of gypsy moths (L.D.D moth) is rising around Dufferin County and all of southern Ontario following a relatively mild winter.
Ontario currently has a “severe” outbreak of the invasive species, which means there’s more than 6,000 gypsy moth egg masses per hector, while last year’s was deemed “moderate”.
This year’s increase in numbers is concerning to environmental groups like the Credit Valley Conservation Authority (CVC), as gypsy moths do have the potential to cause deforestation, especially after years of repeated infestations, with the greatest immediate threat to coniferous trees. Fortunately, the moths tend to be attracted to Oak trees and other deciduous trees, which hold up better against the pest, often able to last three to five years of defoliation.