Yancey is one of two counties that will be sprayed this week by the US Forest Service for infestation of the spongy moth. According to a news release, the area to be treated includes nearly 20,000 acres of private and U.S. National Forest System lands in Yancey and Haywood counties using a spongy moth pheromone that confuses the moths during mating and disrupts their reproduction. The spray only affects the spongy moth and poses no risk to people, other insects, birds, fish or other animals.

“The use of mating disruption is part of the nationwide Slow the Spread Program that focuses on early detection and reduction of low-level populations,” said Forest Service Entomologist Tom Coleman in the release. “The treatment is expected to prevent current low-level infestations of spongy moths from growing to outbreak levels.”

The treatment is applied by aircraft flying at very low elevations over target areas, and applications are conducted only under suitable weather conditions. With favorable weather, the entire project area could be completed within a single day, the release said.

The spongy moth is one of the most destructive pests threatening the Pisgah National Forest. Spongy moth caterpillars feed on tree leaves, damaging and even killing trees. Trees that are repeatedly defoliated by spongy moths have a high risk of dying. Because oak leaves are a favorite food of spongy moth caterpillars, the Pisgah National Forest’s large oak tree population is particularly susceptible to defoliation.

Adult male spongy moth. (Photo credit: U.S. Department of Agriculture)