TIFFIN, Ohio -- Tiffin is under attack by a destructive creature with a voracious appetite.
The pest is small but it attacks large trees, weakening or even killing them. The enemy is the gypsy moth.
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In recent weeks, the pupae and caterpillar (larval) stages of the moth have been identified in two different areas in Tiffin. Leaves with a chewed appearance or the absence of leaves can be a tell-tale sign of the pest.
While removing a white oak tree in the vicinity of Spayth Street and Lincoln Road last week, Lowell Hetzel saw suspicious caterpillars. The former city arborist now operates Hetzel's Tree Service.
"The tree had fallen about a week before. I took samples of the caterpillars and pupae to the Ohio State University Extension Service and reported it to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources," Hetzel said.
After calling city employee Brad Borer, Hetzel learned that the pest has been found on the St. Francis Campus, as well. Hetzel said not much can be done right now, since the insects do not feed in the pupal stage.
Ed Lentz of the OSU Extension office said property owners also should call the Ohio Department of Agriculture, which already is aware of the problem areas in the county.
Lentz said the caterpillars measure one and half to two and a half inches long with a longitudinal white stripe. In bright light, one can see pairs of blue dots near the head and pairs of dark red dots on either side of the stripe.
"They feed on the leaves so much that it weakens the tree. Then disease can move in and kill the tree," Lentz said. "At Oakley Park, I found them on every tree except the evergreens."
Now the caterpillars are moving into the pupal stage, according to Lentz. The pupae are only about half an inch long. In this stage, the creature wraps itself in a protective covering and does not eat. When it emerges, it will be an adult, which can breed and repeat the cycle.
"If people are cutting a tree and moving the wood out of Tiffin, they need to check the wood. We don't want people infecting other areas," Lentz said.
Dave Adkins at the Ohio Department of Agriculture said property owners should destroy any stages of the insect that can be seen.
Adult moths soon will be emerging from the pupae and mating. The female, laden with eggs, does not fly. She is a dusty white with black wing markings, while males are a grayish brown and do fly.