{"id":6377,"date":"2023-07-07T14:06:34","date_gmt":"2023-07-07T18:06:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/?page_id=6377"},"modified":"2023-12-04T10:13:12","modified_gmt":"2023-12-04T15:13:12","slug":"spongy-moth","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/index.php\/home\/spongy-moth\/","title":{"rendered":"Spongy Moth"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"6377\" class=\"elementor elementor-6377\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3b920a19 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3b920a19\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-741f0c2e\" data-id=\"741f0c2e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5cbb238a elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5cbb238a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 30-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Spongy Moth<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-40f695d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"40f695d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-75e8d3c\" data-id=\"75e8d3c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6316681 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6316681\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">(Lymantria dispar dispar)\u200b<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e338df4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e338df4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What is it?\n<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e8573c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9e8573c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 30-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>The Spongy Moth is an insect species that was introduced to North America from Europe in the late 1800s. We are currently experiencing an outbreak of this species throughout Southern Ontario.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dafe4f1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"dafe4f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why is it a problem?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-4573e0c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4573e0c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-4ed17fc\" data-id=\"4ed17fc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ae638d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ae638d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">During the caterpillar stage, May to July, it\u2019s a voracious leaf eater and can defoliate entire trees and forests. While it prefers oaks, it will eat hundreds of species of trees and plants, including coniferous (evergreen) trees.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-e78f711\" data-id=\"e78f711\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6b3fee9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6b3fee9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 30-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/spongy-moth-lifecycle.gif\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"spongy-moth-lifecycle\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NjM4MCwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL2xzcmNhLm9uLmNhXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIzXC8wN1wvc3Bvbmd5LW1vdGgtbGlmZWN5Y2xlLmdpZiJ9\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"748\" height=\"402\" src=\"https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/spongy-moth-lifecycle.gif\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-6380\" alt=\"Spongy moth lifecycle has 4 stages. Stage 1: Egg Mass from August to May. Stage 2: Caterpillar from May to July. Stage 3: Pupa from June to July. Stay 4: Moth from July to August. Timing of each stage may vary due to climate and location.\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4699ce0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4699ce0\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-15de251\" data-id=\"15de251\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-baa66f7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"baa66f7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\u200bPerception, Experience and Perspective<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d35794f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d35794f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">The loss of leaves is shocking for many people who are concerned about the health of their trees. We recognize people want to protect their trees and know the impacts of this insect.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/div><div><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">It can be useful to keep in mind:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/div><div><ul><li><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">In general, we are not overly concerned about the effects that the Spongy Moth is having on our natural forests.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Healthy deciduous (leaf-bearing) trees are resilient and can survive being completely defoliated, even when this happens several years in a row.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Long-term damage from the defoliation of a tree is unusual.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Although there are direct actions you can take, the Spongy Moth population will crash with or without those efforts.<\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW110420247 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9be90be elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9be90be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">From Invasive to Naturalized<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-8a97779 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8a97779\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-3d848a2\" data-id=\"3d848a2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eae7284 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"eae7284\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>When the Spongy Moth was first introduced, it was considered invasive. Invasive species can devastate ecosystems. The Spongy Moth is considered naturalized at this point, meaning naturally occurring forces take care of larger outbreaks. This means that even without human intervention, this current outbreak will decline. As outlined in the chart below, Spongy moth population decline has historically been as sharp as the population rise. Cycles occur every seven to 10 years and outbreaks last from three to five years.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-572ea39\" data-id=\"572ea39\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8033298 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8033298\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"658\" height=\"395\" src=\"https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/outbreak-graph-simcoe.gif\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-6381\" alt=\"Spongy Moth outbreak graph simcoe 1980-2020\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cddc570 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cddc570\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Bad News<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e1e0d8f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e1e0d8f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">When trees lose their leaves, they\u2019re more easily stressed and may be more susceptible to other diseases or events such as drought.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Trees that are already weakened are susceptible to dying, especially with repeated defoliation events.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Coniferous (evergreen trees) are most susceptible; once they lose their needles, their ability to regrow them is limited. Fortunately, evergreens are not the Spongy Moth\u2019s preferred diet.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-93062f7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"93062f7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Good News<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-04b874e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"04b874e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><span class=\"TextRun SCXW180641166 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW180641166 BCX0\">A healthy<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW180641166 BCX0\"> deciduous<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW180641166 BCX0\">(leaf-bearing) <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW180641166 BCX0\">tree will grow new leaves within the same season.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW180641166 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span class=\"TextRun SCXW180641166 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Several factors together keep the Spongy Moth in check:\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW180641166 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><ul><li><span class=\"TextRun SCXW180641166 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">The nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV), which is lethal to the caterpillar\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW180641166 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span class=\"TextRun SCXW180641166 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW180641166 BCX0\">A<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW180641166 BCX0\">fungus, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW180641166 BCX0\">Entomophaga<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW180641166 BCX0\">maimaiga<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW180641166 BCX0\">, that overwinters in soil and infects the moths, resulting in their death<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW180641166 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span class=\"TextRun SCXW180641166 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Prolonged extreme cold (below negative 26 degrees Celsius in the winter for more than 2 days) coupled with a lack of snow can kill the eggs<\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW180641166 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span class=\"TextRun SCXW180641166 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Natural predators including other insects like parasitic wasps, birds like the Black-billed cuckoo and even the white-footed mouse have adapted to eating them in their various life stages<\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW180641166 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li><span class=\"TextRun SCXW180641166 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW180641166 BCX0\">All of<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW180641166 BCX0\"> the above combined with starvation due to a lack of food and competition limits the outbreaks from occurring for more than a few years at a time<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW180641166 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2eedc17 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2eedc17\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Identifying the Spongy Moth<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0962dc4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0962dc4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The caterpillar is dark and covered with hair that can cause rashes if touched \u2013 which is why we always recommend wearing gloves when dealing with the insect, even with the egg masses.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-0dd16ab elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0dd16ab\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-fdd6115\" data-id=\"fdd6115\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a479968 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a479968\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/SpongyMoth_Small_copyright_EdwardHellerman.png\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"SpongyMoth_Small_copyright_EdwardHellerman\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NjM4MiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL2xzcmNhLm9uLmNhXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIzXC8wN1wvU3Bvbmd5TW90aF9TbWFsbF9jb3B5cmlnaHRfRWR3YXJkSGVsbGVybWFuLnBuZyJ9\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"624\" height=\"453\" src=\"https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/SpongyMoth_Small_copyright_EdwardHellerman.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-6382\" alt=\"A small Spongy Moth caterpillar rests on a leaf, held between the thumb and index finger. A blurred out trunk and greenery can be seen in the background.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/SpongyMoth_Small_copyright_EdwardHellerman.png 624w, https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/SpongyMoth_Small_copyright_EdwardHellerman-300x218.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 624px) 100vw, 624px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-9c1714f\" data-id=\"9c1714f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bcbd4a5 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"bcbd4a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Lymantria-dispar-dispar-960562_1920.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Lymantria-dispar-dispar-960562_1920\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NjM4MywidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL2xzcmNhLm9uLmNhXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIzXC8wN1wvTHltYW50cmlhLWRpc3Bhci1kaXNwYXItOTYwNTYyXzE5MjAuanBnIn0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"685\" src=\"https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Lymantria-dispar-dispar-960562_1920-1024x685.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-6383\" alt=\"Close up of a Lymantria dispar dispar caterpillar resting on a green leaf.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Lymantria-dispar-dispar-960562_1920-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Lymantria-dispar-dispar-960562_1920-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Lymantria-dispar-dispar-960562_1920-768x514.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Lymantria-dispar-dispar-960562_1920-1536x1028.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Lymantria-dispar-dispar-960562_1920.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6a7241d\" data-id=\"6a7241d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e94a8f4 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e94a8f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Moth-eggsac-cropped.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Moth-eggsac-cropped\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NjM4NCwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL2xzcmNhLm9uLmNhXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIzXC8wN1wvTW90aC1lZ2dzYWMtY3JvcHBlZC5qcGcifQ%3D%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/thumbs\/Moth-eggsac-cropped-q92p5gxdghx9yn9lb6h8kjg7hwik66s4umv2z17gxc.jpg\" title=\"Moth-eggsac-cropped\" alt=\"A spongy Moth rests on a tree trunk on a sunny day.\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65807ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"65807ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>When it\u2019s first hatched from the spongy egg sac, the caterpillar is only millimeters long and is black. It molts 3 \u2013 4 times, growing larger and more distinctive each time.<\/p><div>The striping and blue and red spots start to appear and become pronounced by the 3rd and 4th molting.\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b<\/div><div><p><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">\u200b\u200bThe female moth is white with brown spots and is flightless. The tan spongy looking sac below her in the photo is an egg mass.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><div><p><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Be aware that a number of look-a-like caterpillars<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">emerge around the same time, including two of our native species: the\u00a0<\/span><a title=\"view link to learn more about the Eastern Tent Catepillar\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ontario.ca\/page\/lymantria-dispar-dispar-ldd-moth-and-other-defoliators#section-3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Eastern Tent Caterpillar<\/span><\/span><\/a><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and the\u00a0<\/span><a title=\"view the link to learn more about the Forest Tent Catepillar\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ontario.ca\/page\/lymantria-dispar-dispar-ldd-moth-and-other-defoliators#section-4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Forest Tent Caterpillar<\/span><\/span><\/a><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ee3fa4b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ee3fa4b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5a881fa\" data-id=\"5a881fa\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3dcd2d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3dcd2d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How can I save my trees?\u200b<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-913a241 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"913a241\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-03f6615\" data-id=\"03f6615\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0c9cfd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f0c9cfd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Healthy leaf-bearing deciduous trees can survive the defoliation of a typical Spongy Moth outbreak, even for a few years in a row. Trees of particular concern can be managed individually using the methods below. If your trees are in urban or suburban settings, watering them during times of drought is an important way to help them.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Coniferous trees (evergreens) can be managed by egg scraping and the burlap banding methods below. For larger landowners, the option of using an organic pesticide called Bacillus thuringiensis (BTK) is one management method. Because it will kill all caterpillars, its use needs to be done carefully.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><div><p><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Your best defense against any one pest or disease is a diverse and healthy forest to begin with. We recommend reaching out to a certified forest manager for site-specific evaluations and recommendations.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-64bae26\" data-id=\"64bae26\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0bc7963 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0bc7963\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"828\" src=\"https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/NDMNRF-ldd-moth-life-stage-control-options-en-640x848-2021-10-01.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-6388\" alt=\"NDMNRF ldd moth life stage control options\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/NDMNRF-ldd-moth-life-stage-control-options-en-640x848-2021-10-01.png 640w, https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/NDMNRF-ldd-moth-life-stage-control-options-en-640x848-2021-10-01-232x300.png 232w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e7d6590 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e7d6590\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">August through to May - Egg Mass Scraping<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d2469ee elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d2469ee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Removing egg masses from trees and any other immovable object that you might find them on. It\u2019s the easiest way to target the most numbers as one egg mass can contain up to 1,000 potential caterpillars. Egg masses should be scraped into a container of soap and water (no need for anything else), as seen in this\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?app=desktop&amp;v=-xYvAmxOAA4&amp;feature=youtu.be\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">video\u200b<\/a>,\u00a0and left to sit in the water for at least 48 hours before being discarded. Be sure to wear gloves as any contact with even the eggs can result in allergic reactions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aac9c93 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"aac9c93\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">May to July - Burlap Banding<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f3777d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f3777d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Note this method requires daily monitoring and cleaning.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Once the caterpillar has hatched from the nest, it starts climbing up and eating leaves. The Spongy Moth prefers oak trees but will eat the leaves from most any deciduous (leaf bearing) tree. Burlap banding is the best way to capture the most caterpillars as they move up and down trees to get out of the hot sun.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><div><p><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Burlap banding requires placing a large piece of burlap around the entire circumference of the tree, at about waist height, then tying it off with some string or rope in the middle, and then folding the top of the band over the bottom as seen in this\u00a0<a title=\"View video on how to do burlap banding\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=V2Fp3-3CjgY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">video demonstration<\/a>. This creates a shelter that will capture the caterpillars as they go down the tree during the day to escape the heat and predators and then again climb up to feed. You need to check and empty these burlap bands daily, scraping them into a bucket of warm soapy water for a few days, covered with a lid so they can\u2019t get out. Simply scraping them to the ground will not kill them.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f77b475 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f77b475\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Time dependent on egg hatching<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2ba45c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e2ba45c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Spraying an organic pesticide called BTK is possible but requires careful understanding of caterpillar life stages and timing. As it is a non-specific pesticide, meaning it will kill all caterpillars that ingest the leaves it\u2019s sprayed on, even helpful species, we urge extreme caution and avoidance if possible. This option should only be used by skilled professionals who understand life cycles and the small window of opportunity to have an impact with minimal effect on other species.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6109f0e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6109f0e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Not recommended<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9ec36b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d9ec36b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Using any sort of sticky tape tied around trees. This can inadvertently capture other species including birds, small mammals and snakes.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e7f5fc9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e7f5fc9\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-145b8b7\" data-id=\"145b8b7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-520ac85 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"520ac85\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Not to scare you but there are many worse invasive species...\u200b<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88a0556 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"88a0556\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">There are other diseases and pests that are more difficult to manage and have already seriously impacted our forests \u2013 like Emerald Ash Borer, Hemlock Wooly Adelgid and Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle to name a few.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><div><p><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">There are a number of new invasives species like the\u00a0<\/span><a title=\"View to learn more about the spotted lantern fly\" href=\"https:\/\/www.invasivespeciescentre.ca\/spotted-lanternfly-a-serious-threat-to-canadas-wine-and-agricultural-industries\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Spotted<\/span><span data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">\u00a0Lantern Fly<\/span><\/span><\/a><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and new diseases such as\u00a0<\/span><a title=\"View to learn more about Oak Wilt\" href=\"https:\/\/www.invasivespeciescentre.ca\/invasive-species\/meet-the-species\/invasive-pathogens\/oak-wilt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">Oak Wilt<\/span><\/span><\/a><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to be concerned about.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e67d947 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e67d947\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What are we doing?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb5cc90 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"eb5cc90\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Science<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d280efb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d280efb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>As a conservation agency, we have a role to play in understanding the science. Together with other conservation authorities, government agencies and municipalities, we collaborate to learn as much as we can and have participated in direct monitoring.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bb2cf70 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bb2cf70\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Outreach<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f1745b3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f1745b3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">We have a teaching role about the underlying ecology, forest health and management options. Understanding the species and impacts is key in making the best decisions. We promote accurate, science-based information through the media and social media, and support our municipal and provincial partners.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee10b14 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ee10b14\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Land Managers<\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-66c440f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"66c440f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>As one of the largest landowners in Ontario, conservation authorities need to manage our own trees and forests. That means, like many residents, we evaluate and take action when needed to reduce overly negative impacts. While it\u2019s comforting to know we aren\u2019t overly concerned about the impact of Spongy Moth, at the same time there are many other risks to our trees and woodlots that do garner our attention.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d303d2b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d303d2b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">We Help Grow Forests! <\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-903e144 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"903e144\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\">We offer funding and expertise to landowners who want to grow or expand existing forests in the Lake Simcoe watershed. New woodlots, windbreaks, streamside plantings are all projects we not only encourage, but support with grant funding. We\u2019ll cover as high as 90% of project costs in some cases. Check out our\u00a0<\/span><a title=\"learn more about our restoration funding program\" href=\"https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/index.php\/funding-expertise\/tree-planting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">restoration funding program<\/span><\/span><\/a><span lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0for more details.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a32e0fc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a32e0fc\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-961dfd4\" data-id=\"961dfd4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b291c9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1b291c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Spongy Moth is Food for Birds<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-37539d7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"37539d7\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5e61d3f\" data-id=\"5e61d3f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-96a999a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"96a999a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Footnote: <\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9490169 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9490169\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div><div class=\"ListContainerWrapper SCXW35402600 BCX0\"><div><div><div><p><span lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\">* The Spongy Moth was originally called the European Gypsy Moth but the name was recently removed from the list of commonly accepted names because of it is a derogatory slur often used to describe the Romani people. Its scientific name is Lymantria dispar dispar.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><div><p><span lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Spongy Moth,\u00a0<\/span><span lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Lymantria dispar dispar<\/span><span lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0(LDD) and European Gypsy Moth refer to the same insect. While all our public communications use Spongy Moth, at times we link to some materials<\/span><span lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0not created by us<\/span><span lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0where you may see\u00a0<\/span><span lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Lymantria dispar dispar<\/span><span lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0(LDD) or European Gypsy Moth used.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0\u200b<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-73ae8e8\" data-id=\"73ae8e8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-145248f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"145248f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bluejay-eating-lymantria-dispar-dispar-1024x678.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-6389\" alt=\"A Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) eating Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar dispar) caterpillars in a birch tree\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bluejay-eating-lymantria-dispar-dispar-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bluejay-eating-lymantria-dispar-dispar-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bluejay-eating-lymantria-dispar-dispar-768x508.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bluejay-eating-lymantria-dispar-dispar-1536x1017.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/bluejay-eating-lymantria-dispar-dispar.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-107f9a6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"107f9a6\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ab529c2\" data-id=\"ab529c2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad8a932 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ad8a932\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u200b<strong>Webinar<\/strong><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iXTYmcq4txE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Watch the recorded webinar\u200b<\/a>\u00a0held recently\u00a0looking towards the 2022 outbreak.<\/p><p><strong>Local Support for Spongy Moth Management<\/strong><\/p><p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:120,&quot;335559739&quot;:120,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u200b<\/span><span lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\">Your local municipality may be supporting some personal management options:\u200b<\/span><\/p><ul><li><p><a title=\"click to view Simcoe County Spongy Moth initiatives\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simcoe.ca\/dpt\/fbl\/resources#ui-id-7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Simcoe County<\/a><\/p><\/li><li><p><a title=\"Click to view Newmarket Spongy Moth inittiatives\" href=\"https:\/\/www.newmarket.ca\/LDDMoth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Newmarket<\/a><\/p><\/li><li><p><span lang=\"EN-CA\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><a title=\"Click to view Town of Aurora Spongy Moth iniatiatives\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aurora.ca\/en\/home-and-property\/wildlife-and-invasive-species.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Aurora<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1dcabfbc elementor-section-content-bottom elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1dcabfbc\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-extended\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-54c8597a\" data-id=\"54c8597a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-145d3d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-6487 elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"145d3d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-3355\" style=\"font-weight: inherit;\" src=\"https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pngegg-4-300x287.png\" alt=\"phone icon\" width=\"50\" height=\"47\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pngegg-4-300x287.png 300w, https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pngegg-4-768x734.png 768w, https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pngegg-4.png 981w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 50px) 100vw, 50px\" \/>\u00a0 \u00a0<strong>Who to Contact\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Forestry\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>\u2706 <a href=\"tel:905-895-1281\">905-895-1281 x152<\/a><br \/>\u2706 <a href=\"tel:1-800-465-0437\">1-800-465-0437<\/a> Toll free <br \/>\u2709 <a href=\"mailto:forestry@LSRCA.on.ca\u200b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">forestry@LSRCA.on.ca\u200b<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7f3f9d69\" data-id=\"7f3f9d69\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-49d4f8f5\" data-id=\"49d4f8f5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spongy Moth (Lymantria dispar dispar)\u200b What is it? The Spongy Moth is an insect species that was introduced to North America from Europe in the late 1800s. We are currently experiencing an outbreak of this species throughout Southern Ontario. Why is it a problem? During the caterpillar stage, May to July, it\u2019s a voracious leaf [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":554,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"page-builder","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Spongy Moth - The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/lsrca.on.ca\/index.php\/home\/spongy-moth\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Spongy Moth - The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Spongy Moth (Lymantria dispar dispar)\u200b What is it? 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