After the spotted lanternfly, another invasive species is damaging and killing trees and shrubbery in Montgomery County and statewide: the spongy moth, writes Damon C. Williams for the Bucks County Courier Times.

Once known as the European gypsy moth, this new pest is deemed a hazard because it defoliates trees and leaves them vulnerable to various diseases and other pests, which can kill trees, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

The insect has a spongy or hair-like covering which helps it survive winter. It feeds on over 300 varieties of trees and shrubs. It can nest and breed almost anywhere and in almost any household thing, including awnings, bicycles, barbecue grills, dog houses, and firewood.

If they notice egg masses, caterpillars, or adult moths, residents are encouraged to remove and destroy them and report their findings online through a self-certification process.

Spongy moths can be killed using moth traps, pest barriers, and garden insect sprays.

“Maximum treatment effectiveness is achieved by targeting caterpillars at a specific developmental stage, a period known as the treatment window, which generally occurs in May,” said the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Read more about the spongy moth in the Bucks County Courier Times.

Spongy Moth Spraying