by Kate Evans
Some Morgan County residents are reporting high numbers of spongy moth egg masses this year after last year’s deluge of caterpillars, pupae and adult moths that caused tree defoliation. The spongy moth (Lymantria dispar) was formerly known as the gypsy moth.
West Virginia officials are concerned about possible tree mortality, disease from tree stress, deforestation and defoliation that could occur from the spread of the spongy moth without treatment to infested properties.
