They don't come in ragtag caravans, they don’t pitch

They don't come in ragtag caravans, they don’t pitch tents and tell fortunes, but these gypsys are slowly moving toward Rappahannock County. In the summer of 1981. six new infestations of the gypsy moth were reported in the northern Virginia counties of Fairfax, Loudoun and Fauquier for the first time. Early this spring, almost one hundred new infestations were discovered in Fairfax County and eight in Richmond. Within three years these counties should experience visible defoliation: within 25 years or less the moth will have completely traversed Virginia on its way south. The Virginia Division of Forestry estimates potential loss to the moth of $43 million following the first wave of infestation through the state. Population increases to the saturation point, dies down, and flares up again every 2-b years.

But the major impact of the moth on Rappahannock may be aesthetic. In a county marked by its beauty, and enjoyed by hunters and fishermen the presence of large numbers of the moth brings special problems. Homeowners in areas affected seriously bv the moths report that it’s very hard for people to co-exist pleasantly with this pest. Huge numbers of crawling caterpillars searching for foliage and a place to pupate are not attractive - they surround homes, cover walkways, fall in ponds and children’s play pools.

Lyt wood, forestry consultant, former county forester and Rappahannock News contributor, said that this aesthetic damage might really be the worst. “People don’t like to see defoliated trees or to step on caterpillars whenever they go outside."

Wood said that he couldn’t imagine any place in Rappahannock County that would benefit from chemical control, but he did have a suggestion for families that want to protect precious trees: "You can wrap burlap around the trunks of your trees. The caterpillars can’t crawl over it so it will trap them.”

Wood said that thev will choose oak over other trees. “We have a lot of chestnut oak along our high ridges,” he said. “This is their favorite." Wood said that the caterpillars will pass up poplar or conifers. Wood estimated that Rappahannock forests will see some defoliation within two years.

Rap Owings, Rappahannock County Extension Agent, agreed that the county is in for a siege of the moths. "We've had males in the county for some years,” he said. The female doesn't fly, which is why the migration is slow. He pointed out that the defoliation of trees also has severe implications for wildlife, who will leave areas that are markedly defoliated. However, he agreed with Wood that the presence of the moth is very unpleasant for residents of infested areas. "I was in an