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Since mid-January, Forest Health and Monitoring staff have been working on the annual winter web survey for browntail moth. This is just a brief check-in to let folks know that webs have been detected in new areas of Oxford and Piscataquis Counties, and in York County (which did not have detections in 2021). This survey is ongoing!
 Once the survey is complete, it will be loaded into our interactive map, where you can find last year's survey data. In the meantime, we plan to provide snapshots of survey progress to subscribers of this update and on our website, where a higher resolution image of this map can be found.
Please take full advantage of the next several weeks when browntail caterpillars will still be inside their webs. Remove browntail webs that are within reach from the ground and away from hazards such as powerlines, and encourage others to do the same. Webs should be removed and destroyed before April when possible to minimize encounters with caterpillars and damage to trees and shrubs.
 Watch a short video on pruning and burning winter webs here.
March 15, 2022
12-1pm
The Maine Woodland Owners Association has invited Thomas Schmeelk, forest entomologist for the Maine Forest Service, to present the latest information about this pest and what can be done to address this growing issue. Learn more and register for this event.
March 16, 2022
1pm
The Chase Emerson Deer Isle Library on Deer Isle, Maine, will be hosting an in-person event with Thomas Schmeelk. No registration necessary- join us to learn more about browntail moths and what you can do to manage this growing problem.
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