APHIS Announces New Common Names for Regulated Lymantria Moths
On December 14, 2022 USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) replaced the common name for regulated Lymantria moths. APHIS will replace “gypsy moth” (Lymantria dispar) with “spongy moth” and “Asian gypsy moth” (L. dispar asiatica, L. dispar japonica, L. albescens, L. postalba, and L. umbrosa) with “flighted spongy moth complex”.
This change aligns APHIS with the Entomological Society of America’s “Better Common Names Project” and the scientific community. Spongy moths are significant invasive forest pests. They can defoliate hundred of species of trees and shrubs and harm our country’s natural resources.
If you would like to learn more about this name change, visit USDA APHIS's flighted spongy moth complex webpage.
This change aligns APHIS with the Entomological Society of America’s “Better Common Names Project” and the scientific community. Spongy moths are significant invasive forest pests. They can defoliate hundred of species of trees and shrubs and harm our country’s natural resources.
If you would like to learn more about this name change, visit USDA APHIS's flighted spongy moth complex webpage.
More on the new name:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/pests-diseases/hungry-pests/the-threat/flighted-spongy-moth/flighted-spongy-moth-complex-hp
The flighted spongy moth is considered a species complex comprised of five Lymantria moths.
Spongy moth subspecies:
Other flighted spongy moth species:
Flighted spongy moth is most prevalent in Asia or Eastern Europe and demonstrate key behavioral characteristics that distinguish them from the “flightless” subspecies of spongy moth that occurs in Europe (L. dispar dispar).
Spongy moth and members of the flighted spongy moth complex look very similar and can only be differentiated through DNA analysis.
FURTHER MOLECULAR DIAGNOSICS INFO
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/pests-diseases/hungry-pests/the-threat/flighted-spongy-moth/flighted-spongy-moth-complex-hp
The flighted spongy moth is considered a species complex comprised of five Lymantria moths.
Spongy moth subspecies:
- Lymantria dispar asiatica
- Lymantria dispar japonica
Other flighted spongy moth species:
- Lymantria umbrosa
- Lymantria albescens
- Lymantria postalba
Flighted spongy moth is most prevalent in Asia or Eastern Europe and demonstrate key behavioral characteristics that distinguish them from the “flightless” subspecies of spongy moth that occurs in Europe (L. dispar dispar).
- Both male and female moths are flight capable.
- Individuals vary in flight capacity –some being considered very robust fliers.
- Feed on an expanded range of trees and preferentially target conifers.
- Are more photosensitive. Adult moths are attracted to outdoor lighting and are most active at dusk.
Spongy moth and members of the flighted spongy moth complex look very similar and can only be differentiated through DNA analysis.
FURTHER MOLECULAR DIAGNOSICS INFO
Why are these differences in behavior important?
An increase in each individual moth’s flight ability adds to an increase in the populations ability to move and infest new locations. Without environmental boundaries, such as limiting food source, there is an increase in risk of establishment.
Flighted spongy moths are considered highly photosensitive and as such behave differently than the “flightless” spongy moth. Flight capable males and females are attracted to the bright lights of marine ports where they mate and frequently lay eggs on shipping containers. The infested containers are loaded onto vessels and transported across the ocean.
Flighted spongy moths are considered highly photosensitive and as such behave differently than the “flightless” spongy moth. Flight capable males and females are attracted to the bright lights of marine ports where they mate and frequently lay eggs on shipping containers. The infested containers are loaded onto vessels and transported across the ocean.
Pathways of Introduction
Washington State has 11 international marine ports as well as 17 barge intermodal facilities along the Columbia-Snake River system accepting cargo from all over the world. The unique topography of Puget Sound and the Columbia River allows transport inland providing access to suitable habitat for flighted spongy moth introduction.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspects vessels traveling from flighted spongy moth infested areas prior to being granted entry. Presence of spongy moth egg masses may result in the vessel being denied port entry and sent back out to sea to undergo cleaning.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspects vessels traveling from flighted spongy moth infested areas prior to being granted entry. Presence of spongy moth egg masses may result in the vessel being denied port entry and sent back out to sea to undergo cleaning.
How does WSDA manage flighted spongy moth differently?
All spongy moth species are attracted to the same pheromone lure allowing us to use one trap and lure combination for all our survey activities statewide. Survey for the flighted spongy moth complex is focused on the marine ports and along the high traffic waterways of Puget Sound. These areas have a higher risk of introduction due to the movement of goods. Traps are placed at a high density for the flighted spongy moths in these areas, allowing us to detect and rapidly respond to any introductions before the moths have a chance to move inland and begin reproducing.
Pest status and Prevention of flighted spongy moth
While the spongy moth has an established range on the east coast, flighted spongy moth has never established in North America. Due to its geography and high level of foreign trade, Washington State has the potential to become the leading margin of this invasive pest’s expansion. National survey data (Table 1) shows that Washington State has the highest number of detections in the United States between 1991 – 2022 supporting the importance of our continued prevention efforts.
WSDA is implementing best management practices with early detection through our annual trapping survey allowing us to rapidly respond to all flighted spongy moth detections to prevent establishment. This work is not being accomplished alone. USDA APHIS PPQ provides funding and supplies to support our survey and eradication efforts. CBP provides regulatory enforcement at our ports. Washington State residents play an important role by allowing traps to be placed on private property and by not disturbing the thousands of traps placed each year across the state on public lands.
To stay up to date on our trapping activities please visit our trapping page.
WSDA is implementing best management practices with early detection through our annual trapping survey allowing us to rapidly respond to all flighted spongy moth detections to prevent establishment. This work is not being accomplished alone. USDA APHIS PPQ provides funding and supplies to support our survey and eradication efforts. CBP provides regulatory enforcement at our ports. Washington State residents play an important role by allowing traps to be placed on private property and by not disturbing the thousands of traps placed each year across the state on public lands.
To stay up to date on our trapping activities please visit our trapping page.