Spongy Moth Treatment Open House At Fountaindale Library

BOLINGBROOK, IL — The Illinois Department of Agriculture will hold an open house at Fountaindale Public Library to explain its plan to treat for the spongy moth in the area.

The department will hold an open house on April 13, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the library, 300 W. Briarcliff Road.

The spongy moth is a non-native tree pest, according to the department of agriculture. Large populations of the pest can strip plants bare, and severe or repeated defoliation can cause tree death.

The spongy moth is not a picky eater, but its caterpillars prefer oak, willow and even pines, according to a news release. Female spongy moths cannot fly because of the weight of their eggs, but the males can fly.

Infested sites will be treated with applications of either BtK or mating disruption, based on the level of the infestation.

In Bolingbrook, the department of agriculture will use the SPLAT mating disruption product. This project is a spongy moth-specific pheromone, which acts as a sexual attractant and prevents the male spongy moths from finding females and breeding, according to the news release.

In late June, low-flying airplanes will apply the product to areas in Bolingbrook.