The gypsy moth is back! In the eastern part of the state especially, vacationers and residents can’t help but notice the decimated trees left by the very hungry caterpillars. But Western Mass hasn’t been spared entirely: there are red oak stands along route 116 in Amherst that have been chomped, as well as areas in Palmer, Monson, Longmeadow and Belchertown. To learn about gypsy moths, New England Public Radio’s Carrie Healy visited a lab at UMass Amherst where, about thirty years ago – the gypsy moth was the focus of much attention. Invasive forest insect specialist Joseph Elkinton was there, back then, too.

Click on the play button (above) to hear UMass entomologist Joseph Elkinton explain how the acorn crops together with mice, help keep gypsy moth populations in check, in a conversation with New England Public Radio’s Carrie Healy.