密歇根新闻广播 舞毒蛾开始肆虐

 

It's going to be a big summer for the invasive gypsy moth¹. Three consecutive² droughts have created ideal conditions for gypsy moth caterpillars³ to multiply.

Over the next few weeks, those caterpillars will be doing what they do best: feasting on the leaves of hardwood trees. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says that could lead to heavy defoliation in outbreak areas.

James Wieferich is forest health specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Gypsy moths⁴ did major damage to Michigan trees in the 1980s and 1990s until the state started treating trees with a fungus⁵ that killed gypsy moth caterpillars. The fungus has a harder time releasing spores⁶ in dry weather, which helped contribute to this year's gypsy moth boom.

Wieferich says that while the increase in gypsy moth caterpillars may lead to unsightly leaf loss, it's unlikely to kill healthy trees these days. They do, however, create a big headache for residents living in areas of an outbreak. Hungry caterpillars release frass — or droppings — onto humans and cars from the trees above, and crushed caterpillars can stain driveways.

Check out the slide show above to find out more about these pests, and what to do if you live in an area with a gypsy moth outbreak.

This post was written by Stateside production assistant Isabella Isaacs-Thomas.

1 moth   

n.蛾，蛀虫

参考例句：

• A moth was fluttering round the lamp.有一只蛾子扑打着翅膀绕着灯飞。
• The sweater is moth-eaten.毛衣让蛀虫咬坏了。

2 consecutive   

adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的

参考例句：

• It has rained for four consecutive days.已连续下了四天雨。
• The policy of our Party is consecutive.我党的政策始终如一。

3 caterpillars   

n.毛虫( caterpillar的名词复数 )；履带

参考例句：

• Caterpillars eat the young leaves of this plant. 毛毛虫吃这种植物的嫩叶。
• Caterpillars change into butterflies or moths. 毛虫能变成蝴蝶或蛾子。 来自辞典例句

4 moths   

n.蛾( moth的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The moths have eaten holes in my wool coat. 蛀虫将我的羊毛衫蛀蚀了几个小洞。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The moths tapped and blurred at the window screen. 飞蛾在窗帘上跳来跳去，弄上了许多污点。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

5 fungus   

n.真菌，真菌类植物

参考例句：

• Mushrooms are a type of fungus.蘑菇是一种真菌。
• This fungus can just be detected by the unaided eye.这种真菌只用肉眼就能检查出。

6 spores   

n.（细菌、苔藓、蕨类植物）孢子( spore的名词复数 )v.（细菌、苔藓、蕨类植物）孢子( spore的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Ferns, mosses and fungi spread by means of spores. 蕨类植物、苔藓和真菌通过孢子传播蔓生。
• Spores form a lipid membrane during the process of reproducing. 孢于在生殖过程中形成类脂膜。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 预防生物武器