Anti-moth coalition forms By Paul Apfelbeck Of tba Emerald Unified by the fear of defoliated Oregon woodlands, a coalition of timber companies, state and federal agencies, environmental groups and private citizens has formed a steering committee to draw up battle strategies against an infestation of gypsy moths. “This is the most dangerous pest we’ve ever faced.” said steering committee member Dr. William Wright, of Oregon's Plant Pest and Disease Control Commission. These moths not only endanger the forests, but could threaten the survival of area tree farming businesses as well. "If we're not allowed to spray (the moths), we’re going to be out of business,” said steering committee member Bob Kintigh, who owns four tree-farms in the infestation area around southeast of Eugene. A quarantine has been placed around the areas of infestation, and other states, notably California, have placed restrictions on Lane County agricultural goods to prevent the spread of the pest. California is the primary destination of Christmas trees grown in Lane County. Christmas trees from the infestation area must be fumigated before they can be shipped, and those near the area must be inspected and certified. "If we’re not allowed to ship them, what good are they?” Kintigh said. But “considering the alternative, it’s not bad,” he added. Wright, however, is optimistic that the threat will pass. “It is highly likely that we can eliminate the moth (in Lane County),” he said. Norma Grier of the Northwest Coalition Against Pesticides is also concerned about the spread of the moth. Grier, who normally opposes the use of pesticides, acknowledges the threat posed by the moth. “Our coalition supports the use of pesticides as a last resort,” she said. The insecticide Sevin was the former weapon of choice. However the chemical killed not only the moth, but many other insects, along with fish and aquatic invertebrates. Sevin is still being given “consideration in some specific circumstances,” though, along with several other options, Wright said. One likely possibility is BT, a bacteria that lodges inside the caterpillar and eventually poisons it. BT only affects moths and butterflies, and it proved successful in eliminating moths in Washington state. Grier favors the specificity of BT, even though other species of leaf-eating caterpillars will die along with the gypsy moth. “Compare that to a Sevin application, and it’s the lesser of two evils,” she said. Another possibility is to spray Phermones wood chips, which fatally exhausts the male moths, leaving females unfertilized and eliminating a new generation. Dimilin also kills moths, by interfering with an enzyme needed to produce the insect’s exoskeleton. Extermination is difficult though, because moths are very mobile and quick to lay many eggs. Moths lay their eggs under tree bark but are just as willing to deposit them on lawn furniture, cars, firewood and anything else left outside. Peo ple are can even become carriers of the insect’s eggs. This high mobility accounts for the rapid spread of the moth in North America, experts say. In addition, moths feast on the leafs of 300 different tree species. Although the moth prefers white oak, it feeds very readily and will complete its life cycle on the Douglas Fir and Western Hemlock, too. Custody law change proposed The Adult and Family Ser vices Division will hold its only public hearing today on a pro posed policy change that would prevent non-custody parents from visiting their children in the child’s home. Violation of this rule could result in a loss of state benefits to single parents allowing such visitation. Under current Oregon law, assistance to families with dependent children cannot be granted if there are two parents living in the home. The proposed new law forbids even occasional visits by the absent parent. Clients Council, a low income advocacy organization, opposes the law. “This is an atrocious pro Correction In a Monday Oregon Daily Emerald headline, a proposal to amend the ASUO Constitution was incorrectly attributed to the ASUO. The EMU Board actually raised the proposal that, if enacted, would modify an EMU policy disallowing EMU office space to groups that violate the affirmative ac tion guidelines. The Emerald apologizes for this error. posal. It flies in the face of every study that children need and do better when there’s contact with both parents,” says Donna Goetsch, director of Client’s Council. ‘‘There are many reasons why a visit at home may be prefer red. A young child may be in itially anxious about going off with a less familar parent or want to share his room and toys with the absent parent,” Goetsch says. ‘‘Transportation may be difficult, or there may not be an adequate place for them to meet. And if there’s a history of alcoholism or child abuse, the visit should be super vised by the Custody parent.” The hearing will be held in Room 122 of the Department of Transportation office in Salem. Client’s Council is offering free rides to anyone who arrives at their office at 556 Pearl, Eugene, before 10:30 a.m. today. Study to focus on elderly A University diagnostic inter viewing class will be question ing a random sampling of elder ly people about their physical and mental health for a study sponsored by the National In stitute of Mental Health. About 20 students from the neuropsychology department class will question participants, 50 years and older, from the Eugene-Springfield area, focus ing on the highs and lows of day-to-day living with an em phasis on personal anxiety and stress in the individual’s life. The study benefits students interested in clinical psychology and counseling by giving them the opportunity to go beyond classroom learning, says Mark Tilson, a research assistant in the program. "Students get a lot of ex perience in getting information from people in a sensitive way,” Tilson says. The results of the study will help the general public indirect ly by allowing the psychologist to delve deeper into understan ding the human mind, he adds. Papers will be written about specific aspects of the results for publication in scientific jour nals, thus allowing others in the field to learn from the findings, he says. The ultimate benefit of studies such as this one, Tilson says, is improved techniques that enable psychologists to treat people more effectively. McKay’s Open Pantry Delicatessen FEATURING Broasted Chicken - by the bucket or the piece • Party trays made to order FrcS-81tty L TINO'S SPAGHETTI TINO’S • Full dinner menu • 23 varieties of Pizzas • Whole wheat and white crust • Pizzas to go -cooked and uncooked 15th and Willamette New Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11 00-Midnight Frl. 11:00-1.00 am. Sat 5:00-1:00 a m Sun. 5:00-11:00 p m. V Peppehdine University School of Law wishes to announce that an admission officer will be on campus to speak with anyone interested in pursuing a legal education. To arrange for an interview or to attend a group session, contact the office listed below. DATE: Wednesday, CONTACT: Career Planning November 21, 1984 & Placement Office