Last year, the Oregon Department of Agriculture reported that it trapped 12 gypsy moths during the course of its trapping program. This year, the result was the same:

Gypsy moth trapping in Oregon has officially ended for 2008 with a final tally of 12 gypsy moths detected statewide – the same number of catches as last year. A majority of detections have taken place in a residential area of Eugene, which could lead to a proposed project next spring to eradicate the plant-eating invasive insect. Officials are generally pleased with the results considering what it was like in the mid-1980s when some 19,000 gypsy moths were trapped in Lane County alone.

The moths are voracious plant-eaters, so it’s very good news when only a few can be found. Last year, six were found in Shady Cove, Jackson County, and an eradication program was targeted in that area. One can probably expect a similar program in the Eugene area now.