DATCP conducting spongy moth trapping

WISCONSIN – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) last week announced that it will be setting approximately 8,000 traps for spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) this year.

The traps will be placed in 36 central and western Wisconsin counties, including Lincoln, Oneida, Marathon, Price, Taylor and Vilas, from mid-May through early July.

A release from DATCP said trap locations are determined according to a grid- and data-based system.

Most traps will be set along public roadside rights-of-way, but some will require placement on private property in areas where new infestations are suspected, according to DATCP.

DATCP requests that all traps remain undisturbed once they are in place.

“Traps are used both to monitor known spongy moth populations and to identify new populations in previously uninfested areas,” said Amanda Miller, DATCP Spongy Moth Trapping Coordinator. “Even though spongy moth populations drastically decreased last season, the total male moth catch still set a record as the second highest in recent program history.

Miller said data collected from traps this season “will be crucial in the program’s effort to pinpoint new populations and limit their spread before infestations become large enough to cause damage to trees.”

Spongy moth traps are small green boxes stapled or tied to trees. The trap emits the scent of flightless female spongy moths to attract and catch adult male spongy moths. The lure scent is undetectable to other insects, animals and humans.

“Although these traps catch adult male spongy moths, the primary purpose is to gather data to inform follow up control efforts and does not have direct, meaningful impacts on the population of this invasive species,” DATCP stated.

Trapping staff will monitor traps until male moths stop flying – usually around Labor Day – at which time the traps will be removed.

DATCP said trapping staff are easily identifiable, wearing fluorescent vests and carrying identification.

Each trap is labeled with a phone number and QR code that property owners can utilize if they have questions, want to report a damaged trap or would like to request the trap be removed from their property.

For more information on spongy moth trapping, visit www.datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/SMSurvey.aspx; call 800-642-MOTH (6684); or email spongymoth@wisconsin.gov.