Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 16, 1990 TAG: 9004160062
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LURAY LENGTH: Medium
"The long-term effect of the gypsy moth is that it will reduce the bear population," said Mike Vaughn, a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and an associate professor at Virginia Tech.
During its caterpillar stage gypsy moths consume leaves, defoliating trees such as the oak. The acorns produced by oak trees are the major source of food for bears.
Vaughn said his research indicates that the availability of food during the fall determines whether pregnant bears will have cubs or spontaneously abort their fetuses during hibernation.
Most of the 2,500 to 3,000 bears in the state are located in and around the Shenandoah National Park, Vaughn said.
"The short-term effect is that the bears could go out of the park and wander into cornfields," he said. Last year, 46 bears were removed by wildlife officials from counties surrounding the park, he said.
About 43,000 acres of the park were defoliated by gypsy moths last year, park officials said. They expect between 25,000 and 40,000 acres will be lost this year.
"To date there's been no serious decrease in bear population and no increase of bears moving out of the park," said Rick Potts, the park's natural resource specialist.
Potts said the bears fed successfully on wild grapes last year, which were in abundance because of plentiful rainfall and extra sunlight because of defoliation.
Potts said the death of some oaks from defoliation will allow other oaks to grow larger and produce more acorns.
"The trees left may produce more acorns per tree," Potts said. "But bears are going to have to do a little bit of adapting."
The moths have worked their way down the East Coast and through half of Virginia. They first were spotted in the park five years ago.
by CNB