Brown Tail Moth Updates

During June and the first half of July, the Brown Tail Caterpillar/Moth were seen on sections of Cape Monday Rd.  Turns out these pests have tiny hairs that are poisonous and can cause rashes/itching for many people.  The rash resembles a poison ivy rash and can be itchy for up to a week.  Hairs are toxic for up to three years and can float in the air and eventually land on a person creating a rash.

Click the links below to learn more about this nasy little species. Keeping lights off at night can help mitigate attraction of the moths which are currently laying eggs for next years catepillars.  They especially like oak trees. 

One fortunate outcome from all the rain we have had is that it creates the ideal environment for a fungus that can kill the catepillars and moths.  It is unclear whether this fungus has had an effect but I have seen numerous dead caterpillars and moths so fingers crossed.

Browntail Moth Caterpillar | Maine CDC | Department of Health and Human Services

Browntail Moth Euproctis chrysorrhoea : Forest Health & Monitoring: Bureau of Forestry: Maine DACF

Recent Updates....check back often!

2/5/2024: Browntail Awareness Month is back! (govdelivery.com)