If you live or recreate in Central or Southern Maine, the brown-tail moth is probably an insect you have become well acquainted with. In recent years these small, fuzzy white moths and their caterpillars have a bad habit of showing up everywhere. The caterpillars leave behind fibers in the soil and on surfaces we come in contact with that can result in painful rashes and respiratory distress. Unfortunately, the Arboretum has not been spared from the brown-tail moth invasion.
So where exactly did they all come from? Brown-tail moths are an invasive species, meaning they are have a sustaining population outside their native range and cause damage to the local ecosystem in their introduced range. These moths were first introduced to Massachusetts in the late 1800's from Europe, their range has continued to expand since then, reaching as far north as Quebec. In their native range, brown-tail moth are less of a problem as their population is maintained by predators that are equipped to consume them. In their introduced range the moths have fewer predators allowing their populations to reach impressive sizes that can lead to public health risks.
While the brown-tail moth is likely here to stay, there are several steps that can be taken to help reduce their impact in public spaces. It is best to control the moths before they become a problem. The moths overwinter in benign, silky nests in the tops of hardwood trees. Removal of these nests is a good way to control outbreaks of brown-tail moth before they begin. Nests that have been clipped from treetops should then be collected and destroyed.
Former director and current volunteer Steve Oliveri is heading up the brown-tail moth control efforts here at Viles Arboretum. Steve has been actively removing the winter nests from trees across the Arboretum grounds. Removal of these nests will mean there are fewer moths emerging in the spring, resulting in fewer caterpillars in July and August. Steve has successfully removed most of the nests in the trees surrounding the Visitor's Center and in the Heritage and Ancestral Apple Collections.
