Family Erebidae    Hodges # 8318

Caterpillar foods: leaves of many hardwood species – over 500 species of plants are known hosts (Bugguide)

Formerly known as Gypsy Moth

These moths were brought to the US around 1869 as an experiment to see if they could be used to cultivate silk.  Some escaped and became pests on many native hardwood trees. (Bugguide)

Spongy moths have been moving across Wisconsin from east to west.  2024 is the first year I’ve found any here at the farm.  So far I’ve seen two males at my lights, and found one egg case. (All were destroyed.)

7/27/2024

7/26/2024