Not known to transmit any human or animal pathogens.

Not known to vector any pathogens or other associated organisms.

Trap Placement: 
Traps should be hung in the immediate vicinity of preferred host trees. Milk carton traps should be hung using a string, tied to a branch of a host tree. Place delta traps four to five feet high (or eye level if less than five feet) directly on the trunk of a host tree. If no host tree is available, another vertical surface such as a telephone pole can be used to hang the trap. Never hang the traps on branch tips. 

Trap Spacing: When trapping for more than one species of moth (that require different lures), separate traps for different moth species by at least 65 feet.

It is critical that samples be collected regularly, stored properly, and submitted to the Forest Pest Methods Lab (FPML) as soon as possible to maintain the integrity of the DNA (see Sample Collection Instructions below).

Use the following guidance to determine which trap type to use:

Paper Delta Traps: 
Delta traps are used outside of areas that are generally infested with spongy moth (L. dispar dispar), where catch is expected to be less than 10 moths per trap. The lure should be stapled inside the trap, to one of the non-sticky panels. The ends of the trap should be folded in. Trap color is up to the State and does not affect trap efficacy.

Milk Carton Traps: 
The standard milk carton trap has a much higher capacity and should be used in areas where populations of spongy moth are established. The lure is typically stapled to a long garden tie that is, in turn, stapled to the inside of the trap at the top so that the lure hangs approximately in the center of the trap. A killing agent, a DDVP strip, is required for milk cartons traps. The DDVP strip should be stapled to the garden tie below the lure. The DDVP strip is effective for 8 weeks.

Attaching lures to traps

IMPORTANT: Do not include lures for other target species in the trap when surveying for this target.

Attaching lures to traps

The lure is available in either a laminate or string dispenser; the laminate lure is effective for 84 days (12 weeks) and the string lure is effective for 180 days (6 months) once the package is open. Unopened lures that are properly stored expire 5 years after the date on the package.

A Likelihood of Establishment Map is now available. This survey should only be considered in the states with appropriate conditions and suitable hosts for this insect. The map was produced by the SAFARIS Team. SAFARIS is a modeling framework that enables PPQ to quickly respond to emergencies, efficiently survey for pests, and assess potential pest impacts by collecting critical geospatial data and developing predictive models. SAFARIS is developed and maintained by the NC State University, Center for Integrated Pest Management (CIPM) with support from PPQ PPRA.

Spongy "moths have one generation annually; timing of flight depends on local climate, and can vary from May or June in very warm areas to September in colder climates".  See Table 3. Potential for trapping male Flighted Spongy Moth Complex (FSMC) moths, by month, from different sources in port areas of the United States in the Asian Defoliator Pathway-based National Survey Guidelines for more information.

The most significant pathway for Asian defoliating moths (Lymantria dispar asiatica, L. d japonica, L. albescens, L. postalba and L. umbrosa), is via ships and cargo from the Far East. Females are attracted to ship and port lighting and lay egg masses on non-host material including ships, shipping containers, timber, rail cars, and automobiles. Egg masses are extremely hardy and their tolerance of temperature and moisture extremes enhances the risk of spread. Lymantria mathura, L. monacha, and L. xylina also lay egg masses on similar non-host material and can follow the same pathway.

When planning surveys, states are encouraged to use a pathway approach when deciding on target species and locations to survey. It is understood that risk factors can be examined along a "risk continuum" beginning at offshore sites (points of origin) to points of potential establishment (commodity production areas, natural lands), and numerous risk points in between (wholesale distribution centers, intermodal sites, rail yards, etc.).

Traps should be placed in the immediate vicinity of:

• Ports of entry
  • Environs and surrounding areas, including shipping and deep water ports
• Inland waterways
• Military household shipments from Japan and Korea
• Inland container storage and intermodal sites 
• Warehouse districts
• Railways
• Inspection or weigh stations

It is not recommended to trap for both spongy moth and FSMC in the same locations. Nurseries, parks, and inland forested areas inside the spongy moth quarantined area should not be selected as FSMC survey sites. Site selection is especially important inside spongy moth quarantine areas as surveys in low risk areas are likely to yield large numbers of endemic spongy moth and require time consuming and expensive diagnostic efforts, while offering low likelihood of detecting FSMC.

Surveys conducted near the quarantine boundary that collect large numbers of moths using milk carton traps will be subject to subsampling following the same protocol as surveys inside the quarantine boundary. 

Where high risk sites do overlap, trap locations should be coordinated so not to duplicate effort and resources.

 All specimens collected outside the natural distribution, which is defined as the current quarantine area plus the population leading edge, will be analyzed. Specimens collected within generally-infested areas will be analyzed based on sub-samples of total catch because of the large number of insects which can be caught in some areas. If traps cannot be checked regularly, it may be considered to trap when flight is expected rather than spreading resources out across the whole season.

Sample Handling
As a general rule, traps should be checked and samples removed every two weeks to reduce the degradation of the specimen's DNA. High temperatures and high humidity speed degradation of specimens and trapping schedules should be shortened accordingly. Specimens should be shipped to the FPML as soon as practical, and no later than November 30. Specimens should be stored in a freezer if possible (if not, in a cool dry area). If stored unfrozen, the specimens should be in containers (paper bags or boxes) which will promote drying. Plastic containers retain moisture that favors the growth of bacteria and fungi, which will quickly degrade the DNA. Specimens should not be stored unfrozen for extended periods.

Sample Submission

Milk Carton Traps

• Layer moths loosely between wadded paper towels or tissue paper in a paper bag (brown lunch bag size) to prevent motion and specimen damage during shipment (one bag per trap; if more than one bag is required per trap, label appropriately). Label paper bag clearly with trap numbers matching paperwork.
• Staple or tape paper bag closed.
• Do not attach paperwork to individual bags.
• Do not use plastic bags or paper envelopes as these do not allow moisture release and thus promote fungal growth and decomposition of moths.
• Do not send traps or paperwork for traps which contain no specimens.

Delta Traps

• Label each trap clearly with trap numbers matching paperwork.
• Package traps to avoid crushing moths during shipment.
• Do not attach paperwork to individual traps.
• Do not use Styrofoam peanuts or other small packaging materials that could potentially enter the traps.
• Do not disassemble the traps or remove moths from the trap.
• Do not ship traps with sharp staples exposed.

A PPQ Form 391 should be sent with each trap, stating the trap number, collection site, number of specimens (estimates okay), life stage, collection date, and date of last (previous) trap check (to determine maximum time that the moth may have been in the trap prior to the check). Specimens should be shipped via next day delivery for Monday through Friday arrival to:

Forest Pest Methods Laboratory (FPML)
Spongy Moth Diagnostics
1398 W. Truck Rd
Buzzards Bay, MA 02542

Inquiries regarding spongy moth diagnostics can be directed to: lymantria.diagnostics@usda.gov

Lymantria dispar dispar (Spongy moth)