The B.C. government plans to conduct aerial-spray treatments in four Lower Mainland locations – including Burnaby - in spring 2022 to prevent Lymantria moths from becoming established and to minimize the risk they pose to forests, farms, orchards and urban trees.
The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development has applied for an amendment to its existing pesticide use permit issued in March 2021 for Lymantria moths (formerly known as gypsy moths).
The planned 2022 treatment areas in the Lower Mainland are:
* Burnaby (193 hectares near Brentwood shopping centre)
* Surrey (108 hectares in the Grandview Heights area)
* Mission (341 hectares)
* Chilliwack (49 hectares along Chilliwack River Road)
* Langley (362 hectares)
These planned treatment locations are in addition to three areas on Vancouver Island. Last year's monitoring program trapped 98 male moths in these eight areas, indicating that the moths could become established in those locations if the proposed pesticide spraying is not done.
“Trapping and monitoring results from 2021 show evidence that Lymantria moth populations have increased dramatically in the areas slated for treatment this spring, likely because of outbreaks in Ontario and Quebec over the past three years,” reads a statement from the province. “Egg masses are commonly transported to B.C. on recreational vehicles and outdoor household articles originating from affected areas outside of the province. If left untreated, the invasive Lymantria moths could spread to other areas of British Columbia and pose a threat to native forests, orchards and urban trees. Trees such as Garry oak, arbutus, red alder, aspen, cottonwood, maple, orchard fruit trees, nut trees and many species of urban ornamental trees would be affected, as well as food crops such as apples, blueberries and other fruits.”
The ministry is planning as many as four applications of Foray 48B in the specified areas between April 15 and June 30, 2022, to control the moths. Foray 48B is used in organic farming and the active ingredient Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki (Btk) is naturally present in urban, agricultural and forest soils throughout the province, said a news release.
“It only affects the stomachs of caterpillars, such as Lymantria moth caterpillars, and is specific to their digestive systems,” the province said.
Quick Facts:
* The Lymantria moth is an introduced pest. The caterpillars feed on tree leaves and can damage forests, farms and orchards.
* Large Lymantria moth populations have defoliated sections of forests and residential areas in Ontario and the eastern United States in recent years.
* These moths are unintentionally brought to B.C. on vehicles and equipment from eastern North America.
* Infested locations are often subject to agriculture and transportation quarantines, as well as additional treatments that may include vehicle checks, product certification and increased pesticide use.
