Jun 09 2024
Spongy Moths
The oak tree in front of the barn has been completely denuded by spongy moth caterpillars. They favor oaks but also seem to enjoy willows. When you go into the woods, it sounds like it is raining — but it is instead these caterpillars munching away. Apparently these outbreaks are cyclical and at some point the caterpillars will be carried away by a virus or fungus. The NY Department of Conservation helpfully informs: “If a tree loses ALL of its leaves and does not grow any new ones in late summer, check it in the spring. If it still does not leaf out next spring, it has died.”
No responses yet