The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) has released information on spongy moth traps placed in Missoula and Granite Counties. View the post on Facebook here.
Every spring, DNRC natural resource specialists place 60 spongy moth traps in trees around Missoula and Granite Counties. In autumn, DNRC staff retrieve these traps to analyze the catch. Â
MISSOULA, Mont. – Have you ever noticed these bright green boxes hanging from trees around the state?Â
Every spring, DNRC natural resource specialists place 60 spongy moth traps in trees around Missoula and Granite Counties. In autumn, DNRC staff retrieve these traps to analyze the catch. Â
Spongy moths are an invasive species in the U.S. that defoliate – or remove leaves from – deciduous trees and shrubs, impairing their ability to photosynthesize and produce essential nutrients.Â
The spongy moth monitoring program, active for over 30 years, is an interagency effort between DNRC, the Forest Service, Animal Plant Health Inspection Services, and the Montana Department of Agriculture. This program detects introductions of the invasive species and aims to prevent them from establishing in Montana.Â
To ensure these efforts are successful, please do not disturb any insect monitoring traps set by DNRC and other agencies. Â
Moving firewood can transport forest insects and diseases. Learn more about keeping your favorite places safe by checking out dontmovefirewood.org.
To learn more about spongy moths, also known as Lymantria dispar, visit the field guide on Montana’s official website here.Â
