Skip to the main content of the page

Survey and Treatment Projects

​​​In 2020 the Oregon Department of Agriculture detected one Asian gypsy moth on Sauvie Island and one European spongy moth near Rainier. ODA plans to mass trap these areas to determine if we have an established population. During May 2019, ODA, in conjunction with the USDA and other federal and state agencies, treated a 45-acre area of Corvallis (Benton County). A ground application of the biological pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki appears to have eradicated the European spongy moth population. Spongy​ moths have not been detected in traps in Benton County since 2018 but we will continue our delimination trapping efforts through 2021.​

The USDA completed an environmental assessment for this project prior to treatment. 
The report is available online: USDA's Plant Health Environmental Assessments​​

For more information:

Resources

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Information from the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC)

B.t. Informational video from NPIC

Effects of Aerial Btk on Non-Target Lepidoptera Caterpillars

Btk effects on non-target caterpillars research poster

Invasion of Spongy Moth Caterpillars in Hanover Township, Pennsylvania

Invasion of Spongy Moth Caterpillars

ODA news on spongy moth

News blog

Oregon Health Authority: Btk Insecticide FAQs

Btk FAQs

Oregon Spongy Moth Detection Map (2018)

Map with 2018 spongy moth trap catches (pdf)

Phenology of Butterflies and Moths in Oregon in relation to Asian Gypsy Moth eradication efforts

Small poster showing the life stages of common moths and butterflies in relation to the timing of the AGM treatment

Spongy moth awareness video

From the Washington Dept of Agriculture, this video includes 13 ways spongy moths damage the ecosystem, the economy, and harm people. Also included, how to identify spongy moth and eradication methods. YouTube Video

Spongy Moth Eradication Program Overview

Basic information about spongy moth eradication

Spongy Moth in Oregon

Yearly summary report for Oregon's spongy moth trapping and eradication program 2018 Spongy Moth Summary Report

Spongy Moth: A Destructive Pest of Natural and Urban Forests

Flyer about spongy moth: biology, pest status, prevention

​​
​​​​​​

​​Contact

Ashley Toland
Entomologist/Eradication & Pest Response Lead
Insect Pest Prevention & Management
635 Capitol St NE
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-881-5198

​​

​​