Spongy Moth

The Oregon Department of Agriculture placed almost 13,000 spongy moth traps statewide in 2022. Seven spongy moths were detected in Benton (3), Clatsop (1), Columbia (1), and Washington (2) Counties. A high density of traps is being placed around these catches in 2023. The Oregon Department of Agriculture is also continuing to place a high density of traps in 2023 around the 2020 flighted spongy moth trap catch on Sauvie Island and around the 2021 spongy moth trap catch in Umatilla County.

The USDA completed an environmental assessment for this project prior to treatment. The report is available online: USDA's Plant Health Environmental Assessments

For more information:

• Email or call the project coordinator
• Find information about the biological pesticide Btk

• Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Information from the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC)
• Effects of Aerial Btk on Non-Target Lepidoptera Caterpillars Poster
• Phenology of Butterflies and Moths in Oregon in relation to Asian Gypsy Moth eradication efforts
  Small poster showing the life stages of common moths and butterflies in relation to the timing of the AGM treatment
• Spongy moth awareness video
  From the Washington Dept of Agriculture, this video includes 13 ways spongy moths damage the ecosystem, the economy, and harm people. Also included, how to identify spongy moth and eradication methods. Name update: The insect common name "Gypsy moth" was changed to "Spongy moth" in 2022.
• Spongy Moth Eradication Program Overview
  Basic information about spongy moth eradication
• Spongy Moth: A Destructive Forest Pest Fact Sheet Brochure