Spongy moth caterpillar on a leaf

Pike County Conservation District > Programs & Services > Spongy Moths (formerly Gypsy Moth)

Spongy Moths (formerly Gypsy Moth)

The Pike County Commissioners have started a Spongy Moth Task Force with a cost share program for 2025.

Information regarding the cost share program and general spongy moth information is available on the County's website for the program. If you would like to learn more , please contact Jess Yoder of the Pike County Planning & Mapping Office and Spongy Moth Task Force at 570-296-3500 x1382.  At this time, PCCD is not engaged with this project and is unable to provide any additional information- please contact the Spongy Moth Task Force directly with any questions.

Spongy Moth (Lymantria dispar dispar) is a destructive forest pest responsible for killing millions of oak and other trees across the state.

  • Females lay their tan egg masses in June & July, which hatch the following year at the end of April to the beginning of May.
  • Egg mass surveys are recommended for late summer to fall but can be done throughout winter.
  • For foliar treatments, a week or two after hatch is the recommended treatment time depending on the insecticide being used.

 

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) will be conducting spraying on some state forest and state park lands this spring, and they will be updating this map often with the blocks that have been sprayed and are planned to be sprayed.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) will also be spraying on some state game lands and will be updating this map.

 

If you are interested in setting up your own private spray program, please refer to the links below:

Guide to Conducting a Private Spongy Moth Suppression Program provided by DCNR

Aerial Applicators Licensed to Work in Pennsylvania provided by DCNR

DCNR Service Forester to Each County provided by DCNR

Guide to Spongy Moth Egg Mass Surveying provided by Penn State Extension

Close up of female adult spongy moth and egg mass on tree bark
Female adult and Egg mass
Spongy Moth Caterpillar on a branch
Spongy Moth Caterpillar
Illustrated silhouette of a kid fishing in clean streams.
FACT

There are 4,700 miles of streams and 74 square miles of lakes and ponds in Pike County. Most of these waterways are exceptionally clean and support healthy ecosystems.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Follow all fishing laws, and don’t pollute these clean streams. Volunteer to help restore and protect these waterways.

Check out our Partners in Conservation which you can pitch in to help »