Forest Tent Caterpillar in Vermont
The Vermont Division of Forestry's Forest Health, Insect, and Disease program predicts high Forest Tent Caterpillar infestation in southern Vermont in May and June. In anticipation of concern over this infestation, they have prepared an excellent source of on-line information with topics such as:
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What to do about Forest Tent Caterpillar (FTC) defoliation
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Vermont 2006 Forest Tent Caterpillar Sugarbush Spray Project
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Forest Tent Caterpillars Affect Sugar Maple Health
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Forest Tent Caterpillar in Vermont.
At this excellent site, you can find out about what can be done if your land is infested with FTC, how to reduce tree stress, potential for future outbreaks, specific implications for sugar maple health, and a spray program to control infestations in sugarbushes.
In 2005, the Vermont Forest Health, Insect, and Disease Program mapped Forest Tent Caterpillar defoliation on 229,702 acres in 12 counties. The most extensive damage occurred in Rutland, Bennington, Windsor and Windham Counties. You can use the Mapserver feature of ACORN to view maps of insect defoliation in the past, to see how your town or land was affected. See the October 2005 Highlight for an article on how Vermont Forest Health staff monitor insect infestations from the air.
Thanks to the Vermont Division of Forestry for assembling excellent information on this forest health problem, and making it so easily accessible on-line!
