DATE:   11/16/00
WRITER: Beth Kane, (864) 656-2120
EDITOR: Giles Singleton, (864) 656-3876

Danger lurks in Christmas trees:
Check for gypsy moth eggs

     CLEMSON -- When you've finally found the perfect tree, 
just the right height, color and width, watch out. It may 
carry gypsy moth eggs which hatch into moths that defoliate 
hardwood forests. 
     These eggs look like a big wad of gum. In entomological 
terms, the "gum" could be the sandy-colored, hairy egg masses 
of the gypsy moth. Each egg mass can contain up to 850 gypsy 
moth eggs.
     To prevent the entry and spread of these eggs into South 
Carolina, field entomologists with Clemson University's Department 
of Plant Industry randomly inspect Christmas tree lots that 
handle trees imported into South Carolina, beginning at 
Thanksgiving. Consumers can help in this effort by checking 
their own trees.
     "About 19 states, from Maine to Virginia, are infested 
and suffer continual episodes of hardwood forest defoliation 
by gypsy moths," said Ken Glenn, assistant department head 
with Plant Industry.
     Although gypsy moths and their eggs have been found in 
South Carolina numerous times since the early 1970's, vigilance 
has helped prevent a major infestation here.
     "Every time we've caught it early, we have been able to 
stop it. Conducting these inspections is a good way to catch 
an invasive species early," Glenn said. 
     Anyone who finds gypsy moth egg masses on Christmas trees 
should contact the Department of Plant Industry. Egg masses 
are usually small 3/4 inch wide to 1 and 1/2 inches long and 
are off-white to yellowish in color. They are most likely to 
be found on the trunk of the tree.
     If a tree containing eggs is discarded after the holidays, 
most likely the eggs will become  caterpillars in the spring.
     To avoid moth eggs, Glenn suggests checking a tree 
carefully before purchasing it.
     "Usually imported trees from infested states are not a 
problem, because they are inspected before being shipped to 
market," Glenn said. "But our local inspections add assurance 
we are not getting this pest."
     Locally grown trees have not been exposed to gypsy 
moths.
     For more information, contact the Clemson University 
Department of Plant Industry at (864) 646-2130.
                **************************************     
     If you have gardening questions or comments, write to PSA 
Media Relations, A-101 Poole Agricultural Center, Clemson 
University, Clemson, S.C. 29634-0129. Find other Buds and 
Blooms columns under news releases at: 
http://www.clemson.edu/psamedia . 
                               END