Citizen Attitudes Toward Orangestriped Oakworm: Impact, Control, Host Aesthetics, and IPM Practices

Abstract

A random survey of two Norfolk, VA residential neighborhoods (N=132) revealed citizen attitudes toward the orangestriped oakworm, Anisota senatoria . The majority of citizens surveyed (98.5%) considered A. senatoria a serious problem, experienced greaterthan 50% defoliation (56%), and were willing to tolerate some damage (70%). Chi-square analysis showed the greater the damage, the less tolerant citizens were to A. senatoria infestation (P<0.0001). The physical presence of A. senatoria , as measured by frass and larvae on property, was the primary citizen complaint and defoliation effects were considered as minor. Citizens were willing to pay for professional A. senatoriacontrol . Many (43.5%) felt municipal control was ineffective because of poor timing of treatments. They felt that trees (35%) and the lawn (34%) were aesthetically the most important components in the landscape. Most citizens (80%) were willing to pay for natural control, and some (38.5%) felt that pesticides were unsafe. The attitudes toward A. senatoria provided a framework for designing an urban pest management program.