Scrub Hub: The spongy moth is ‘devastating’ forests across U.S. and it’s coming to Indiana

I don’t find out about you, however one thing with spongy within the identify doesn’t actually indicate hazard. Possibly gentle and squishy, however actually not “probably the most severe forest defoliator in the USA.” 

Regardless of the identify, the spongy moth has pure assets consultants throughout Indiana and the area shaking of their boots. 

If the identify is just not acquainted, that’s as a result of the pest not too long ago acquired a brand new moniker. Beforehand referred to as the gypsy moth, the Entomological Society of America modified the identify to take away the derogatory time period for the Romani folks. 

Though the identify is new, these moths have been within the U.S. for a very long time. Nonetheless, they aren’t native to the nation. They’re initially from Europe and had been by chance launched in Massachusetts in 1869. Since then, they’ve unfold steadily westward. 

State officers and bug consultants try to maintain them from spreading even additional. 

For this subsequent version of the Scrub Hub, we’re some key questions concerning the spongy moth: What makes them so dangerous? And what can Hoosiers do about them? 

To reply these questions, we spoke with an skilled from the state’s Division of Pure Assets to study extra about invasive pest and efforts to cease them. 

Quick reply: Why are spongy moths so dangerous? 

The spongy moth landed in Steuben County — the northeast nook of the state the place Indiana abuts Michigan and Ohio — in 1998. Since then, it has unfold to most northern counties and even additional south within the northeastern a part of the state. 

There are presently 9 counties in Indiana are underneath quarantine for spongy moth, which means the pest is established in that space. There are two different counties, Lake and Whitley, which can be being added to that record. 

Wherever these bugs are, they’re “probably the most severe forest defoliator in the USA,” based on Purdue College. Indiana’s DNR agrees, calling the spongy moth considered one of “probably the most devastating invasive forest pests” in North America. 

Simply final 12 months, the spongy moth defoliated over 9 million acres of forest within the nation, Purdue mentioned. Almost a million of these acres was in Michigan alone, the place the moth has a robust presence. 

It’s truly the caterpillar stage of the moth that’s identified for its voracious and dangerous urge for food. 

The spongy moth caterpillar feeds on over 500 totally different species of bushes and shrubs, mentioned Kristy Stultz, a nursery inspector and compliance officer with DNR’s Division of Entomology and Plant Pathology. She mentioned that make it “simple for it to discover a good meals supply.” 

Oak leaves are their most well-liked meals, however the caterpillars additionally likes poplar, birch, apple, spruce and pine bushes. Whereas most bushes will produce new leaves after defoliation, repeated snacking may cause some severe points. 

Annual defoliation may cause quite a lot of stress on deciduous species, which might result in a tree’s demise in two to 4 years. A single incident can kill evergreen species, Stultz mentioned. 

Lengthy reply: How do they unfold and the way do I do away with them? 

Grownup feminine spongy moths within the U.S. can’t fly, so unfold typically happens by different means. Younger caterpillars, for instance, can crawl to treetops and are blown by the wind. 

One of many principal methods, nevertheless, the moth strikes out of what’s thought-about infested areas is thru human motion — unknowingly growing the speed of unfold. 

The feminine will lay egg plenty on nearly any floor that provides some safety, and the eggs will be troublesome to search out even when on the lookout for them. It’s then very simple for an individual transferring a camper, outside play tools and even only a automobile from northern Indiana to an space the place the moth doesn’t but happen. 

Egg plenty can comprise anyplace from 500 to 1,000 eggs, Stultz mentioned, “so it doesn’t take so much to create a brand new inhabitants in areas the place it doesn’t presently happen.” 

The final time an Indiana county was added to the state’s quarantine record was in 2011, “so we have now been very efficient at managing this pest,” Stultz mentioned. The state entomologist makes use of trapping knowledge and different info to find out if and when an space can be added. 

There are various things the state has completed to assist sluggish or management the unfold of the spongy moth, and the therapy choices depend upon issues like the placement and extent of the inhabitants. 

If it’s a localized defoliation or egg mass, spraying these bushes with horticultural oil could also be an choice. If the inhabitants is past that and identified to be established, Stultz mentioned an aerial software of what’s referred to as Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki may fit finest. Generally known as Btk, it’s thought-about non-toxic to crops and animals apart from very particular bugs. 

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Stultz mentioned an alternative choice is what’s often known as mating disruption. That’s additionally achieved by way of an aerial software, this time of a pheromone that makes it practically unattainable for women and men to search out one another to mate. 

The state depends closely on an in depth trapping program to find and monitor populations and to find out when and the place to do administration for spongy moth. 

Along with state efforts, there’s a lot that Hoosiers can do to assist cease the unfold. 

Step one is having the ability to establish them of their varied life levels.  

August is the time of 12 months when grownup moths are mating and laying their eggs, earlier than they die on the finish of the season. These eggs don’t hatch till the next spring between late April and early Might. 

The caterpillar stage often lasts for about seven weeks earlier than going into its cocoon. Adults sometimes emerge in July to proceed the cycle.

Provided that timeline, “now is a superb time to be looking out for” spongy moth egg plenty, Stultz mentioned. The plenty will be discovered overwinter till caterpillars hatch within the early spring. 

Be looking out for a mass that’s lined with tan or buff-colored hairs. If the eggs are discovered, they are often scraped off right into a bucket of soapy water and left to soak for a few days earlier than being discarded, based on Stultz. 

A key factor for Hoosiers is to pay attention to these pests and know the place the populations are so acceptable precautions will be taken. Stultz encourages folks to examine their tools, campers and automobiles if they’re touring to make sure they aren’t giving a experience to moth eggs that could be hitch-hiking. 

And “in case you are anyplace within the state, and you’ve got defoliation brought on by spongy moth caterpillars, DNR needs to know,” Stultz mentioned. That is very true if Hoosiers are exterior of a quarantined county and imagine that they’ve spongy moth. 

All experiences can go to DEPP@dnr.IN.gov or will be made by calling 1-866-NO-EXOTIC. Folks reporting ought to be certain to offer their identify, contact info, location and what they’re reporting — all this helps guarantee experiences get to the closest DNR inspector to allow them to be dealt with in a well timed method. 

When you’ve got extra questions on spongy moth, different pesky dangerous pests which can be inflicting issues in Indiana, or some other matters, tell us!

You’ll be able to ask us by submitting a query by way of our Google type beneath. Can’t see the shape? Click on right here.

Name IndyStar reporter Sarah Bowman at 317-444-6129 or e mail at sarah.bowman@indystar.com. Comply with her on Twitter and Fb: @IndyStarSarah. Join with IndyStar’s environmental reporters: Be a part of The Scrub on Fb.

IndyStar’s environmental reporting undertaking is made potential by way of the beneficiant help of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Belief.