GRSM SPONGY MOTH

<div style='font-size:12pt; text-align:Left;'><p><span>The spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) was brought to Boston in 1869 during an attempt to initiate a profitable silk industry in the United States. It soon escaped confinement and has been expanding its range ever since. It is now one of the most challenging insect pest species in North America. With hundreds of known plant hosts, many of which are completely defoliated during outbreak years, the spongy moth has no shortage of food. Defoliation lasting two or more years can cause significant tree mortality, which may increase the possibility of wildfires. Spongy moth larvae may also out-compete the larvae of native butterflies and moths.</span></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><span>Similar to spiders, the smallest spongy moth larvae can create a silk thread that is caught by the wind, carrying them to new locations by a process called "ballooning." Typical movements of this sort are short (less than a kilometer), yet during strong, sustained winds this likely aids range expansion. The females cannot fly, which helps slow the spread of spongy moth populations, however, egg masses or small larvae may also be accidentally transported by people. Please inspect any gear you are bringing to the Park for both small caterpillars and for quarter-sized fuzzy, brown egg masses that are often tucked into crevices.</span></p><p><span>The corresponding Integration of Resource Management Applications (IRMA) </span><a target='_blank' href='https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore' rel='nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer'><span>NPS Data Store</span></a><span> reference is </span><a target='_blank' href='https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2314247' rel='nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer'><span>Great Smoky Mountains National Park Spongy Moth traps</span></a><span>.</span></p></div>