The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources released its annual Pest Condition Report for 2007 detailing which areas of Pennsylvania are affected by pests like the Hemlock woolly adelgid, emerald ash borer and gypsy moths.

DCNR annually surveys about 17 million acres of public and private forestlands to determine the impact of forests pests throughout the Commonwealth.

The Report found the Hemlock woolly adelgid in 47 counties affecting 6,183 acres across the state; two more counties than last year.

The emerald ash borer was detected for the first time in Pennsylvania during 2007 in parts Allegheny and Butler counties. A quarantine area has been established for wood leaving those counties plus Beaver and Lawrence counties.

Gypsy moth defoliation increased in 2007 to a total of 681,435 acres of woodlands across the state. A total of 64,515 acres were sprayed by the state and counties to control gypsy moths in 20 counties.

The 2007 Pest Condition Report is available online.

For more information on forest pests and diseases, visit DCNR’s Forest Health webpage.

12/21/2007