Photo Credit - Invasive Species Centre
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection is warning about the invasive species of spongy moth.
The spongy moth is a non-native pest that is very well-established in Eastern Wisconsin.
These pests feed on the leaves of roughly 300 species of trees and can completely defoliate trees in the spring.
Repeated defoliations can render trees extremely weak, leaving them susceptible to other pests and diseases.
The warning comes ahead of the holiday weekend as female spongy moths will lay thousands of eggs that can easily and unknowingly be transported by humans on firewood, outdoor furniture, and camping equipment.
53 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties are currently under quarantine for the spongy moth.
Outbreaks can happen periodically during a spring or summer season, they can range from a single wood pile to thousands of acres of land.
