Quinte West council is sticking to its recent decision to aerial spray certain municipally-owned properties with Btk insecticide to stop further infestation by the LDD (gypsy) moth.
Council heard a detailed 15 minute report from owner of Willows Green Permaculture Stefan Dixon Tuesday who said aerial spraying of Btk insecticide would kill the caterpillars of over 150 species of butterflies, including the Monarch, eventually harming birds and amphibians who feed on caterpillars.
Dixon says greater biodiversity consisting of native plants, flowers, and trees grown in close proximity would naturally lessen the damage caused by LDD moths.
Another man told council experts recommended Btk insecticide as it was based on a natural soil-based bacteria.
Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison and others on council stressed that the moth had caused serious damage to the tree canopy and had to be stopped and that the city
had taken and will take all necessary precautions in implementing the spraying program.
