Potential Benefits of Slowing the Gypsy Moth's Spread

The potential benefits of a proposed program to slow the spread of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), are assessed. A GIS model, which may have application to other epidemiological analyses, was developed to assess the physical spread over a 25 year period. Economic models were developed to estimate potential benefits from reduced management activities, timber production, residential impacts, and recreation participation. Potential benefits for the greatest, medium, and least benefit scenarios were about $3,800, $2,300, and $800 million, present value, respectively. About 83% of these benefits were obtained from delaying residential impacts. South. J. Appl. For. 20(2):65-73.