WLBZ Interviews Dill About Winter Moth’s Potential Impact on Crops
James Dill, a pest management specialist with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, spoke with WLBZ (Channel 2) for a report about state officials trying to determine the potential negative effects the winter moth could have on crops this year. Experts say the moths lay eggs near the buds of many plants, including ones that can bear fruit. Once the eggs hatch in the spring, the new moths feed on the buds, causing noticeable damage to crops, according to the report. Dill cited apples, cranberries and blueberries as potential crops of concern. He said with a late spring, such as the one we’re having this year, it takes buds longer to break, which allows the moths to do more damage to multiple bud clusters.