An effort to eradicate the gypsy moth population at Purdue could get underway this week, weather permitting.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources says the insects were discovered by a graduate student last summer on the West Lafayette campus.
An airplane will be used to spread material designed to prevent them from mating.
DNR officials say in order for the treatment to be successful, the wind speed needs to be 10 to 12 miles per hour or lower.
There also cannot be any rain for at least six hours after the treatment.
Gypsy moths feed on the leaves of hundreds of species of trees and shrubs in North America.
When populations of the insect reach high levels, trees can be completely defoliated and eventually die.