Gypsy moth making gains in Wisconsin

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The leaf-eating gypsy moth is on the rise in Wisconsin.

About 386,000 of the caterpillars were found in traps this year. That's up from 293,000 a year ago.

State agriculture officials are not sure why the numbers rose but it might be due to the moths' natural cycle.

A similar increase was noted in 2003, before declines in the next three years.

Moth populations rose rose the last two years, and officials hope for another drop in '09.

The ag department treated almost 80,000 acres in 13 counties to contain the gypsy moths. And about 30,000 traps were set in 52 counties this summer.

Next year's treatment strategy has yet to be set, but you could see more spraying in the western half of Wisconsin where the moths are not as prevalent. For now, officials ask people to look for gypsy moth egg masses and destroy them.

Information is available at the state Web address, GypsyMoth.WI.gov.

Tags: wisconsin, news, gypsy, moth, increase