The map on the front cover, which in past years would have shown a county by county depiction of gypsy moth outbreak, now shows where gypsy moth isn't. E. maimaiga , the fungus that ate the gypsy moth, is in outbreak status throughout much of the Northeast. We know that in most of the northeastern United States, the fungus has dramatically reduced gypsy moth numbers.
Experts differ in their views.
Some have said the gypsy moth collapse is merely the lucky combination of weather, fungus, and virus. Others propose that because of the fungus, we have seen an end to the periodic buildups in gypsy moth populations that once claimed millions of forest acres. While we wait to see what does happen, State and Federal agencies responsible for gypsy moth control, must adapt to life without gypsy moth. The dilemma for State agencies, which carry the bulk of the suppression workload, is how to maintain an experienced staff long enough to see if gypsy moth populations return. No one wants to reduce staff or disassemble an organization only to find the gypsy moth come roaring back.