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Article: Friendly flier: gypsy moth biocontrol readied.
- Article from:
- Agricultural Research
- Article date:
- August 1, 1994
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1994 U.S. Government Printing Office. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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A friendly fly imported from forests in Korea and Germany may soon help protect America's trees and shrubs from one of their worst insect enemies--gypsy moth.
ARS scientists expect the fuzzy, half-inch-long Blepharipa schineri fly to soon join the ranks of other beneficial insects brought into the United States to combat the destructive gypsy moth. Black with brown eyes and faintly reddish bands on its sides, the fly is harmless to humans.
Gypsy moths infest parks, woodlands, and backyards in 16 northeastern states. In spring and summer, they feed on foliage of hundreds of different kinds of trees and other greenery. Many defoliated trees weaken and die.
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