Description:
An epidemic of Douglas-fir tussock moth was detected in northern Idaho
in 1972. In 1973, aerial surveys showed that nearly 100,000 acres contained
various degrees of visible defoliation. An egg mass survey of
five reporting units made in the fall of 1973 determined potential for
damage in 1974. Based on new egg mass densities and new to old egg
mass ratios, damage is predicted to be sufficiently high to warrant control on 34,138 acres in the Coeur d'Alene unit, 64,779 acres in the
St. Joe unit, 4,433 acres in the Clearwater unit, 4,762 acres in
the Craigmont unit, and 33,501 acres in the Nezperce unit. Total acres
qualifying for treatment are 141,613. In addition, some damage might
occur on 81,554 acres within the five units. These areas will be further
evaluated to determine if they qualify for treatment.