Something that used to strike a certain amount of comical fear into our hearts as children was if ever we would hear a neighbor or family member say that the gypsies were in town. It meant no good; the implication was that gypsies would come to shop lift, swindle and steal all that they could while passing through.
Last week an expected and not welcome visit from some gypsies finally arrived. The many egg casing from Gypsy Moth caterpillar finally hatched and their thousands of little black larva arrived hungry and everywhere. Anyone who hiked Nittany Mountain last year saw the many larva remains and then the egg smuts on the bark of the trees along the way. I had never seen so many.
Last week, I noticed many tiny black larva everywhere I went. These aren't the caterpillars that make the flossy white tents in the branches of trees, they are smaller right now and are sailing around on little threads, landing everywhere. I checked our apple tree last night and they have started eating little holes in every leaf on the tree.
Today, I was able to photograph an airplane making passes and spraying Nittany Mountain. I was able to catch some of the white stream of spray in the one photograph (to the left, halfway down the mountain in the second photo). I have no idea if the breeze might blow a bit in our direction to help our trees. I am afraid it's going to be a year where these gypsies take more than they are welcome to.
Local articles from the Centre Daily Times from May 11, 2008 and May 14, 2008.
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