Invasive pests like the cottonmouth moth cause havoc to native species. They displace native flora and fauna and can even be destructive in nature. In the case of the cottonmouth moth, formerly known as the gypsy moth, the species was introduced to the United States as a potential source of silk. The insects escaped captivity and found the wild hospitable. Today, they are a threat to America’s forests.
What does a sponge moth look like?
Lymantria differentiation is the scientific name for the sponge moth. The adults are not as damaging as the sponge moth caterpillars. These larval pests feed on the leaves of over 300 species of plants.
Adults vary in appearance depending on the sex. Females are 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) long, creamy white, and have a V-shaped pattern on their hind wings. They also do not fly.
Males are mottled brown and grey, and are active in the afternoon and evening when they are looking for mates. They also have feather-like antennae. Caterpillars have pairs of red and blue spots on their backs with black hairs above. The spongy moth eggs are beige and soft, almost downy. In the pupal stage, the shell is dark brown and hard.
Life cycle of sponge butterfly
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Like other moths, the sponge moth has four stages of development: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The eggshell appears in August and overwinters. Around mid-May, the larva chews on the eggshell and begins feeding. When the larva is fully grown, about 2.5 inches (5.35 cm), it molts, and its new skin hardens and darkens. Within a week or two, the eggshell splits open to reveal the adult moth.
How to Identify Damage Caused by Styrofoam Moths
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While the caterpillar moth larvae will feed on a wide variety of trees, they do have their favorite foods. Spruce, Douglas fir, white birch, hazel, pine, linden, apple, oak, willow, hawthorn, mountain ash, and linden are some of their favorites. They also prefer many hardwood species.
Their feeding damages the health of the tree by causing the leaves to fall off. They are very voracious during this stage and can eat entire leaves. This is detrimental to the health of the tree because the tree needs leaves for photosynthesis. They convert the sun’s energy into sugars which they use as a source of energy. In deciduous trees, the moths’ feeding starts at the edges and creates a ragged appearance. In evergreen, needle-leaved trees, the needles will be eaten off the tree.
Styrofoam Moth Prevention
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Remove the egg cases if possible. From mid-October to April, they can be found on tree bark, signs, buildings, fences, and other outdoor surfaces. If the case is on a tree, do not attempt to scrape it off as this will damage the bark. Use a horticultural oil labeled for use against the styrax moth. Removing even 1 egg case can reduce the following year’s population by about 600. If the case is in an area where it can be safely scraped off, soak the eggs in soapy water for 2 days to kill the developing insects.
How to get rid of Styrofoam moths
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Encourage natural predators by avoiding the use of broad-spectrum insecticides as a first line of defense. Larvae can be killed by spraying with Bacillus thuringiensis. There are several sprays on the market that are listed for use against sponge moths. There is also a product that is injected directly into the base of the tree trunk. If you choose to remove adult moths and larvae by hand, wear gloves as contact can cause allergic reactions.
frequently asked Questions
What is the difference between gypsy moths and sponge moths?
This is the same species. The name was changed from gypsy to spongey to reflect the shape of the eggshell.
Is the sponge moth an invasive species?
The silk moth is native to Eurasia. It was a major pest in Europe in the 1800s and was introduced to the United States in 1869 to start a silk industry. Etienne L. Trouvelot received a shipment of silk moths that produced silk. Included in the shipment were silk moth eggs that he had raised in his backyard. These silk moths escaped and quickly grew into a large population that destroyed trees across the country.
