The spongy moth is one of the most important forest pests in the Northeast. The caterpillars feed on leaves of the forest, shade, ornamental and fruit trees, and shrubs. A single defoliation can kill some evergreens, but usually, two or more defoliations are needed to kill hardwoods.
Spongy Moth Management Guide for Homeowners
How to Care for Defoliated Trees
How to Properly Water Your Trees
Last updated March 30, 2023
View and/or download Gypsy Moth Fact Sheet
Gypsy Moth caterpillars are extremely abundant this year from visible caterpillars, masses of caterpillars in trees, pupae in trees, defoliated trees, and even caterpillar droppings causing issues.
Gypsy Moths undergo a complete metamorphosis and there are many life stages you can intervene at to help control the population in your home landscape.
Visit the NYSDEC website for up to date information on understanding and controlling gypsy moths: https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/83118.html
If you are interested in sampling your woodlot or forest to determine the likelihood of defoliation by gypsy moths for the following growing season, sampling protocol is provided here (PDF). If you do sample your woodlot or forest, your data is valuable to us for tracking annual populations. We would appreciate if you mailed or emailed you sampling data to:
NYSDEC
Division of Lands and Forests, Bureau of Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233
Telephone: 518-402-9425
Email the Forest Health team
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Warren County
377 Schroon River Road
Warrensburg, NY 12885
TEL: 518-623-3291
FAX: 518-668-4912
warren@cornell.edu
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