The ice was out last year on May 11, he said. The spring fishing season on the lake starts May 1. The leaf-munching caterpillar is active from April to June and has caused misery for islanders throughout the l990's. This year, according to experts, the infestation is to advance beyond the Casco Bay islands to inland areas and up the coast. Towns from Falmouth to Harpswell are considered vulnerable.
Towns plan to spray pesticide from planes, trucks and hand-held cans.
The effort likely will not come in time to prevent extensive defoliation, but it should kill the insects before their toxic hairs become airborne. John Scott, who spends summers on Great Chebeague Island, is allergic to the hairs, and his reaction last summer was his worst ever. It's very, very uncomfortable and you can't do anything about it but stay inside. On the rise since l990, the caterpillar population typically follows a cycle in which it increases forabout l0 years and then crashes. In almost all cases we'll destroy the insects before they become a serious problem.