Spongy moth population dropping, not gone in Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says the population has dropped in recent years, but the state isn't in the clear.
The invasive pests are still destroying tens of thousands of acres of trees each year across Michigan.
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'The most recent spongy moth outbreak reached its peak in 2021, but their numbers have been declining for the last few years,' the agency .
Spongy moths were responsible for defoliating trees across 1.35 million acres in 2021. Those numbers have since dropped notably. The moths were responsible for approximately 386,000 acres in 2022, 156,000 acres in 2023 and roughly 169,000 acres in 2024.
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'These hungry caterpillars often group together on deciduous trees — those that shed their leaves seasonally,' the DNR says. 'They can strip trees of leaves and release BB-sized pellets of frass (droppings) on whatever is below.'
The DNR says the caterpillars prefer oak and aspen leaves but have been found on hundreds of other plant species.
from Michigan State University say spongy moth eggs are hatching now in the Lower Peninsula. The easiest way to find traces of the moths, before they are eating your leaves, is to look for egg masses.
They are tan, fuzzy and about the size of a quarter. If the mass has small holes in it or appears to be falling apart, the eggs have likely already hatched. If not, you can get rid of the egg masses by drowning them in a bucket of soapy water or burning it.
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If they have already hatched, the DNR recommends sweeping the caterpillars into a bucket of soapy water and allowing them to soak overnight.
The DNR says there are available that are effective at killing the caterpillars/moths with little impact on humans, pets and other insects. There are other treatment options as well, including a
'Cut a strip of burlap 18 inches wide and long enough to go around the tree trunk and overlap,' the DNR says. 'Tie a string around the center of the band to make a two-layered skirt around the trunk. When the caterpillars climb the tree to eat, they will get caught in the band. You can scrape them into a bucket of soapy water and dispose.'
The good news is trees can typically survive exposure to spongy moths. The DNR says the caterpillars usually feed for six to eight weeks and slow down by midsummer. Most hardwoods can re-leaf after that.
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