By Brenna DeNamur, DNR Forest Health Outreach Specialist, Madison, Brenna.DeNamur@wisconsin.gov
The Forest Health Team has made many changes since the spongy moth’s* (formerly known as gypsy moth) new name debut in March. Earlier this month, we launched the new and improved Spongy Moth Portal!
Like the old site, the new portal is a collaborative effort between the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and UW Extension to help answer questions about the biology and management of spongy moth in Wisconsin.
Except for some documents on the portal (which will be updated in the near future), the new site has changed all instances of the old spongy moth name and has updated maps for this year’s aerial spray blocks. Check it out here.
*A new common name for Lymantria dispar, spongy moth, replaced the prior name of this insect, gypsy moth, in 2022. This change was necessary because the word ‘gypsy’ is an ethnic slur and the former common name equated people with insects. For more information, visit the Entomological Society of America website.