Cooperative Extension Places Sticky Traps For Spongy Moths

By Hempstead County Cooperative Extension, 05/16/22 10:39 PM

Have you seen these orange tent-shaped boxes hanging from trees in your neck of the woods and wondered what they are

They’re pheromone/sticky traps placed by several participating agengies including University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service agents all over the state to monitor for spongy moth (formerly named gypsy moth) activity as requested by the USDA APHIS and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Plant Industries Division.

Spongy moths are an invasive forest insect native to Europe and may attack as many as 300 species of trees and shrubs. If you see a trap, just leave it be. They will be collected in August and sent in for examination. Monitoring for this pest is vital in preventing this invasive forest defoliator from becoming established in Arkansas.