TIMES RECORD • December 7, 2020
The winter moth infestation in Maine has gone too far and residents need to take action. Earlier this week, Cape Elizabeth made the decision to stop banding their trees and take a year to determine the effects of parasitoid flies, which since 2013, have been released in municipalities throughout the state to control winter moth populations. While this decision may make sense for Cape Elizabeth, I urge residents across the state not to use this as a guide. An invasive species from Europe, winter moths cause defoliation, which trees cannot survive year-in-and year-out. Leaving winter moth control solely up to the parasitoid flies is a dangerous idea. We must take all measures possible to limit their reproductions. ~ Ryan Supple, environmental studies major, Bowdoin College