Photo: Heather Bilyeu
North Portland’s Community Newspaper Serving: Arbor Lodge, Bridgeton, Cathedral Park, East Columbia, Hayden Island, Kenton, Overlook, Piedmont, Portsmouth, St. Johns, University Park
TWITTER: @stjohnsreview - EMAIL: reviewnewspaper@gmail.com - WEB: www.stjohnsreview.com - PO Box 83068, Port. OR 97283 - 503-283-5086 - A Bi-Weekly community newspaper
Gypsy Moths discovered in St. Johns & Forest Park;
Eradication plan being formed
I
nvasive Asian gypsy moths
were discovered in traps in
St. Johns and Forest Park last
fall in spite of efforts to remove
them from foreign vessels visiting
the Port of Portland, according to
Clint Burfi tt of the Oregon Depart-
ment of Agriculture (ODA). Burf-
itt said a closely related species,
the European gypsy moth, was
also discovered. It is likely there
are more than just those trapped.
This is an alarming fi nd since
both invasive species feed on na-
tive evergreen and hardwood trees
and can defoliate them leaving bar-
ren, dead snags in their wake. The
danger of an infestation is fright-
ening since the two species of gyp-
sy moths can interbreed, reproduce
exponentially and adjust their diet
to new plants, traits which have
Correction:
Celebrate
North
Portland
St Johns Review PO Box 83068 Port. OR 97238
#4 Feb. 26, 2016
In the last issue the Review said
the Celebrate North Portland
event is March 4. IT IS NOT.
The fabulously popular event
will be: Saturday, March 12th
at 6pm. Deadline to buy tickets
is March 4. See form on Page 8.
515-840
spurred huge, destructive infes-
ly be made up within two years as
tations in the eastern US. The in-
populations recolonize. Spraying
vasive moths also have the ability
doesn’t affect honeybees, dragon-
to push out native species of but-
fl ies, fl ies or other insects. When
terfl ies and moths. If the pests get
the caterpillars consume Btk on
out of control and an infestation
foliage it works by changing the
occurs, a quarantine of nursery
PH of their system so they cannot
plants would become necessary.
feed. A study of more detailed ef-
Such an action would harm local
fects of spraying on other butterfl y
businesses such as plant nurseries
and moth species will be conduct-
and Christmas tree farms.
ed in the focus area by ODA insect
According to Mark Hitchcox, a
scientist, Dianne Kerns and OSU
St. Johns neighbor and insect sci-
professor, Jeff Miller, an expert on
entist, gypsy moths have a popu-
butterfl ies.
lation explosion about every 10
The Oregon Invasive Species
years in their native lands, particu-
Council can provide advanced
larly Russia. During such an event,
notifi cation to let residents know
it becomes very challenging to to track the effect.
when spraying will occur if they
fi nd and remove all the egg masses
Unfortunately, spraying will af- sign up to receive notifi cations at
on vessels and goods arriving in fect other butterfl ies and moths the following link: www.oregon-
the US, though the ODA says they that have the same life cycle tim- invasivespeciescouncil.org/agm.
get about 99% of them arriving in ing as the gypsy moth. Xerxes has There is also information on the
Oregon.
said that no endangered species website about what you should do
The Oregon Department of Agri- will be affected, however. Accord- during a spray.
culture has successfully addressed ing to studies done at Oregon State
Oregon Health Authority website
gypsy moth invasions with swift University, loss of non-target but- says that on the application dates,
action to eradicate the caterpil- terfl y and moth species will usual- people in the spray zones will
lars
by
see and hear
Facts about Btk
overhead
(loud) aircraft
• Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk) is a bacteria found in soil
spraying
fl ying above.
• It was certifi ed as organic by OMRI
of Btk, a
Potentially
• It has been shown to be safe for humans
naturally
• Although there is low risk to those with severely depressed immune systems. they may fl y
occurring
very low. They
• Btk affects kills caterpillars by altering the PH of their stomach
bacterial
suggest that if
• It doesn’t affect other insects.
protein
you or some-
that is considered safe for organic
one in your
gardens. According to Clint Burfi tt,
home is con-
the ODA feels the threat is real and
cerned about
the time to act is now. “We want to
the application
get the treatment effort started ear-
due to a medi-
ly and effectively,” he said. To be
cal condition,
effective, they would like to focus
to consult with
on three overhead sprayings one
a health care
week apart starting in April. The
provider.
focus area will be St. Johns north
Currently,
of the bridge, northern Forest Park
the
Oregon
and part of Vancouver, Washing-
Department of
ton where the moths were found.
Agriculture is
A large number of new pheromone
open for 30-
traps that attract males will then be
days of pub-
set out within the focus area and
lic feedback
several miles around the perimeter
on the plan to
eradicate gyp-
sy moth larva.
Besides
the
open houses
that were held
on February
17 and 20,
those interested can get involved
in the effort through training in up-
coming workshops at the St. Johns
Community Center sponsored by
the Oregon Forest Pest Detectors
program (OFPD).
Visit the OFPD site to regis-
ter, and take the online training:
http://us11.campaign-archive2.
com/?u=f6320af8fb0948468e-
fa9f291&id=7fb157b8f8#AGM.
Then join one of the upcoming
workshops to reinforce and test
your knowledge:
February 26,10:00am - 12:00pm
at St. Johns Community Center
February 27, 10:00am - 12:00pm
at St. Johns Community Center
March 4, 10:00am - 12:00pm at
St. Johns Community Center
Enter
The Review’s
PHOTO
CONTEST!!
Win $100!!
Send your photo of
the St. Johns Bridge
to:
reviewnewspaper
@gmail.com
TODAY!!
-------------------
Congratulations:
This issue’s Masthead was
taken by Heather Bilyeu and
she is offi cially entered into
the contest to win $100 at
the end of the year.
SEND YOUR BRIDGE
PHOTO in today.
See page 2 for full details.