The June invasive species of the month the gypsy moth, introduced to the United States during the Civil War and still with us today, defoliating thousands of acres of trees. In 2007, according to the Maryland Invasive Species Council, our state, along with New Jersey and Pennsylvania suffered the worst defoliation in many years. Each of these states mounted large spray programs to protect weakened and threatened trees – more than has been needed in 17 years. These programs were to conclude by June 1, before the period of heaviest gypsy moth caterpillar feeding, with the hope of much reduced forest damage in 2008. The gypsy moth is well known to many of us in Maryland, but there is a whole assortment of other invasive species in our midst, effecting ecosystems from the Chesapeake to western Maryland. Joining us on Midday today at noon to talk about it are two people who track invaders -- Kerrie Kyle is an invasive plant ecologist for the Maryland DNR, and Jonathan McKnight is a biologist and associate wildlife director for DNR.