Post Messenger Recorder -

Beginning in early to mid-May, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) plans to treat 14 western Wisconsin counties for gypsy moth. Residents can expect to see and hear loud, low-flying planes as early as sunrise.

Small, yellow planes will be treating for invasive gypsy moth caterpillars. These non-native pests defoliate many kinds of trees and plants during their caterpillar stage, causing tree stress and potentially tree death. In an attempt to slow their spread, treatment efforts will be focused in western Wisconsin, where gypsy moth populations...