If you spot a low-flying plane in the skies this month and next, they’re working to stop the spread of an invasive species.The Ohio Department of Agriculture said they will be deploying small planes to aerially spray to stop the spread of the invasive species, the spongy moth. The aircrafts fly around 100 feet above the treetops.Treatments will be applied in the following counties: Auglaize, Fairfield, Hardin, Hocking, Knox, Licking, Logan, Vinton and Washington.Licking County received treatments the week of May 7, followed by a second application the week of May 14. The remaining applications are tentatively scheduled for mid-June, weather permitting. ODA said the spray is an organic, biodegradable product that is harmless to birds, bees, plants, pets and humans. According to ODA, the spongy moth is a non-native, invasive species that has moved west into Ohio from Pennsylvania and Michigan. Each egg mass a female lays contains between 500-1,000 individual eggs; once hatched, they are able to feed on the leaves of over 300 different tree and shrub species. One 2-inch larva can consume up to 1-square-foot of foliage every 24 hours. In heavily infested areas, where there are 250 or more egg masses per acre, the spongy moth is able to completely strip the infested trees. ODA said a healthy tree can usually withstand only two years of defoliation before it is permanently damaged or dies. To date, 51 of Ohio’s 88 counties have established populations and are under state and federal quarantine rules.Click on this map to see where ODA is spraying. Click here for more information on the spongy moths program.