About 135,000 acres of land in 17 Wisconsin counties are scheduled for gypsy moth spraying this year as part of a campaign against the insect.
Gypsy moths are a threat to trees in urban areas and in forests because they feed on leaves of many species, according to the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Ten urban areas and 62 rural sites are to be sprayed in May and June, the agency said. The 135,000 acres are about 53,000 more than last year.
The counties included in the treatment are Adams, Columbia, Dane, Grant, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Lincoln, Marathon, Marquette, Portage, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Vilas, Waushara and Wood.
Urban areas include parts of Madison, Sun Prairie, Monona, McFarland, Janesville, Beloit, as well as sites near Coloma, Wisconsin Rapids and Port Edwards.
Gypsy moths spread to the Midwest after large areas of forest were destroyed by them in the Northeastern United States. The insects are native to Europe, Asia and North Africa.
The treatment planes will fly 50 feet above treetops at sunrise in urban areas, the agency said.
