![Minnesota Prepares Air War Against Gypsy Moths](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/01/Gypsy-Moth.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Minnesota Prepares Air War Against Gypsy Moths
DULUTH (AP) -- Agricultural officials are preparing their largest air war ever to protect the forests of northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin against gypsy moths.
In the wake of infestations found in the region last year, including in Duluth, experts in both states are expanding aerial spraying to keep the leaf-eating, tree-killing gypsy moth caterpillars in check.
In June, planes will spray a natural soil bacterium that kills the caterpillars.
In July, they'll drop synthetic hormone flakes to confuse male moths so they can't mate.
The invaders have been on a century-long march westward across North America.
Lucia Hunt, gypsy moth expert for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, says there's little hope of ultimate victory, but any delay may help as scientists look for a more permanent solution.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
More From AM 1240 WJON
![Officials Spray Duluth Trees to Slow Gypsy Moth](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/01/Gypsy-Moth.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gypsy Moth Rules For NE Minn. To Affect Travelers](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/01/Gypsy-Moth.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota Begins 2013 Gypsy Moth Trapping Program](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/01/Gypsy-Moth.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gypsy Moth Spraying Planned For 3 Metro Locations](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/01/Gypsy-Moth.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Ben’s, St. John’s Official Higher Ed Partners with MN United](http://townsquare.media/site/70/files/2019/11/soccer_ball_getty_Michael-Regan_Getty24.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gas Prices Fall in Minnesota, Rise Nationally](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/04/attachment-GettyImages-97962772.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Cloud’s Coborn’s, CentraCare Make List of Biggest Minnesota Employers](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jobs3-Thinkstock-GettyImages.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Central MN Meat Market Introduces 24/7 Meat Vending Machine](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2024/07/attachment-Jen-and-Travis.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Becker Woman Hurt in Crash Near Spicer](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/06/State-Patrol-Stock-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)