Subject: TWEETERS: Trees, Caterpillars, and Birds
Date: Apr 13 18:36:28 2004
From: Carolyn Eagan - eaganc at seanet.com
Spraying with BT (bacillus thuringiensis) is one approach. This bacterium
contains a toxin that is poisonous to caterpillars. It is ingested by them
and it paralyzes their gut, they stop feeding and eventually die. B.T. has
two important advantages over conventional insecticides. First, if affects
only a narrow range of insects, and second, it is nontoxic to humans, plants
and other animals and has no adverse environmental effects. B.T. is
registered for use on all plants and can be used up to harvest on edible
plants. It should be uses when the caterpillars are actively feeding. The
plant should be sprayed thoroughly, should be applied on an overcast day or
late in the day, as it breaks down in sunlight. Most formulations are
effective for only a few days, so repeat applications may be necessary.
Hope this helps.