OVERVIEW OF OUR SYLVIA LAKE CATERPILLAR ISSUE

NOTES FROM MEETING
Saturday, March 13, 9:00 a.m.

Steve Vandermark, Senior Extension Resource Educator from Cornell Cooperative Extension, opened the meeting attended by 16 individuals representing Sylvia Lake and surrounding areas. He gave a brief overview of the cyclical nature of the caterpillar problem. Fifty years ago, these pests were so overwhelming, slippery rail tracks made it necessary to stop trains. Our outbreak last year may not have been that severe, but certainly the damage to the trees around Sylvia Lake was devastating...and messy.

We face a decision to take action. Previous microburst, ice storm and drought stress on the trees have made them exceptionally vulnerable to the infestation of the Eastern Tent Caterpillar and the Forest Tent Caterpillar. An article by Douglas C. Allen, distributed at the meeting, says, "Protecting foliage (i.e. spraying) may be critical if the woodlot was subjected to another major stress factor during the past 2-3 years." The health of the Sylvia Lake water is directly tied to the health of the forests and trees around it.

Jeff Duflo, of the Duflo Aerial Application company in New Bremmen, presented information and safe options concerning spraying the area. His recommendation is to use BTK (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecis kurstaki) crystals in an application of 80-100 microns (about the size of hair spray). BTK is an organic material, not chemical. When the worms ingest the spores, they lose interest in eating and die. BTK is considered friendly to human beings as well as other species of animals. BTK is only toxic to caterpillar larvae and must be eaten to be effective.

Representatives from the Sylvia Lake Association are working with Jeff Duflo to determine final price (based on estimate of $10.00-$15.00) per acre for aerial spraying of the Sylvia Lake trees. Residents will be notified prior to the spraying by newspaper, website, and (probably) bullhorn in a boat. Contributions toward this effort will be solicited from the 131 property owners.