Caterpillar Research Discussion on Friday

A discussion of work being performed to help eradicate Eastern tent caterpillars will be held at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky sales pavillion in Lexington, Ky. at 9 a.m. (ET) on Friday, Jan. 31.

University of Kentucky entomologist Dan Potter and his staff have been seeking improved ways to spray tent caterpillar egg masses and the alternative technique of injecting trees to kill caterpillars before or as they hatch.

The meeting, which is open to the public, was arranged by the
Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, which is funding one of the caterpillar control projects at the univeristy.

"The timing is delicate, and we appreciate professor Potter's understanding that farm managers are facing decisions that must be made prior to definitive results of ongoing projects being possible," said Edward L. Bowen, president of Grayson-Jockey Club. "We look forward to helping provide the opportunity for horsemen to learn more about professor Potter's experiments and rationale."

Various projects have associated caterpillars with the pattern of mare reproductive loss syndrome, which has seriously affected the horse industry in the last two springs. The syndrome has caused early fetal loss and late-term abortions.