For Immediate Release
Friday, May 22, 2015
Contact: Charlene Donahue, 485-0960
Maine Forest Service Warns of Increase in Browntail
Moth Caterpillar Infestation
AUGUSTA -- The Maine Department of
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is warning Maine residents that
the infestation of a noxious invasive caterpillar is worse this year than last
year and local residents should begin thinking now about how they want to deal
with the pest. Browntail moth caterpillar hairs can cause
a blistery, oozy rash or respiratory distress for people who come into
contact with them.
Winter web surveys conducted by the DACF’s Maine Forest Service
(MFS) identified extremely high levels over-wintering web in the tops of oak
trees for the browntail moth caterpillar. Winter web counts were highest in parts of:
-
Bowdoinham, Bath, Topsham, West Bath (Sagadahoc County) Brunswick,
Freeport and Harpswell (Cumberland County) this year. Browntail moth webs
are also showing up in more southerly places including Cape Elizabeth,
Scarborough, Westbrook, Windham, New Gloucester and Yarmouth (Cumberland
County).
- Pockets of infestation were also found in other coastal locations
from Lincoln County, south and in inland towns such as Augusta, China, Vassalboro,
Waterville (Kennebec County), Lewiston, Turner (Androscoggin County), and
Whitefield (Lincoln County). One was recently found at Gardiner High School.
Browntail Moth
The browntail moth is an invasive species that arrived in
the U.S. around 1910 on nursery stock coming from Europe. It spread through
Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Nova Scotia before the population
collapsed. The only place where it is now found in North America is the coast
of Maine and Cape Cod.
Browntail moth caterpillar hairs break off the
caterpillars and circulate in the air. The caterpillar also molts, and the
dried skin containing the hairs can drift, also causing problems for people. The
hairs remain toxic for a year or more, so people still can be affected in subsequent
seasons.
People should take some
extra precautions in areas with browntail moth infestations, especially during
the late spring and summer months. These
are especially important during periods of dry weather and include modifying
activities that might bring you in contact with the toxic hairs of the
caterpillar.
A list of recommended
precautions is available on the Department’s website. http://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_health/insects/browntail_moth_precautions.htm.
For information about the browntail moth
caterpillar: http://maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_health/invasive_threats/index.htm#btm
For
more information about pesticides:
http://www.maine.gov/dacf/php/pesticides/index.shtml
For
the list of licensed pesticide companies dealing with browntail moth
caterpillar, call entomology lab at: (207) 287-2431 or email: Charlene.donahue@maine.gov
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