Information Session on Moth Planned

The pale winged grey moth, an insect native to this area, is damaging hemlock trees in western Nova Scotia.

"While much of the moth's damage is within the boundaries of Kejimkujik National Park, Queens County, surveys confirm damage on private properties about 13 kilometres outside of the park," said Walter Fanning, manager of forest protection for the Department of Natural Resources. "More extensive surveys are planned for the fall to determine how far the insect has spread."

The pale winged grey moth feeds on a wide number of host plants. In the first year of an outbreak, the larvae feed on younger trees. They eventually move up into the crowns of mature trees as the younger trees are stripped of their needles. When moth populations are high, they can completely defoliate and kill a tree within two years.

"Damage caused by the insect can be identified by missing or red needles, especially on younger trees or lower branches of larger trees," said Mr. Fanning. "Larval feeding during the early part of the season is on the new shoots, while later stages consume older needles."

A public information session on the pale winged grey moth will be held Thursday, June 16, at the Caledonia Legion Hall, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Department of Natural Resources staff will be available to discuss the life cycle of the insect as well as the current outbreak in Queens County.